Japanese Gesture: What?

[sabro]

I've seen this gesture where you make a face and pull down your lower eyelid and stick out your tongue. It is obviously some kind of insult. What does this really mean and where does it come from?

 

[TheKansaiKid]

great question, I asked my wife who is a native she didn't know where it comes from, but she said it was like sticking out your tongue in america... kind of a good natured version of FO

 

[Maciamo]

Is that Japanese ? I saw the same gestures in Europe too, even in comics like Tintin.

On the other hand, it seems that some Japanese don't know the meaning of holding up their middle finger. I have seen people making a speech in front of an audience or explaining something at a meeting and showing a middle finger to say "1". :sorry:

 

[Mycernius]

Is that Japanese ? I saw the same gestures in Europe too, even in comics like Tintin.

On the other hand, it seems that some Japanese don't know the meaning of holding up their middle finger. I have seen people making a speech in front of an audience or explaining something at a meeting and showing a middle finger to say "1". :sorry:

I know that the middle finger insult originally came from the Romans.
There a a few people who don't know about the British gesture of two fingers, middle and index fingers, a reversed victroy sign if you like, that this emoticon appears to be doing . The French knew about it because English archers used to show it to them before a battle. When an English archer was captured in battle the french would cut off those fingers to prevent him from using his bow. By showing the fingers it meant that 'I've still got my fingers to kill you'.

 

[Index]

I've heard a variant of the two finger/archer story, in that the French used to taunt the English after or before cutting off their two shooting fingers.

 

[jeisan]

What is the name of this in Japanese?

 

[Dekamaster]

What do you call the practice wherein the one left behind would strike two wooden pieces of wood just before the other leaves the house ? Could someone also explain the practice ?

Thanks

 

[epigene]

What do you call the practice wherein the one left behind would strike two wooden pieces of wood just before the other leaves the house ? Could someone also explain the practice ?
Thanks

You're talking about "kiribi," the striking done to make sparks. The sparks are considered "pure and untainted" for being just borne and therefore able to drive away back luck and evil.

You see it very often in samurai drama, as an expression of good luck to the person leaving the home to head to work or to do something important. However, the practice still lives among artists and craftsman who preserve traditional Japanese arts.

http://www.kaiun-navi.jp/navi/contents/hiuchi_use1.html

 

[Dekamaster]

You're talking about "kiribi," the striking done to make sparks. The sparks are considered "pure and untainted" for being just borne and therefore able to drive away back luck and evil.
You see it very often in samurai drama, as an expression of good luck to the person leaving the home to head to work or to do something important. However, the practice still lives among artists and craftsman who preserve traditional Japanese arts.
http://www.kaiun-navi.jp/navi/contents/hiuchi_use1.html

Sou desu ne. Actually I saw this practice only twice and in popular TV programs (Gokusen and Kamen Rider Hibiki). Although both programs have a traditional slant on their stories. Domo Arigatou.

 

[Tollen]

I've heard a variant of the two finger/archer story, in that the French used to taunt the English after or before cutting off their two shooting fingers.

no tis deffinately the english taunting the french ^_^ hehe gud ol' british pride ^_^
mmmm how did the middle finger gesture come about then???
*shrugs*
hmmm... sparks sound dangerous in wooden type houses hehe
:win: