Japanese names

[Sensuikan San]

I have a slightly different problem with Japanese names.

I have had occasion (usually for painting or print titles) to write a Japanese name in Kanji, (when I only knew the name in Romaji of course).

Going to my trusty Japanese word processor - it will give me 2, 3 or even more Kanji choices !

How, in God's good name, do I know which one to choose ?

For example - one of my paintings is of a gentleman with the family name "Tagami" .... I get 田上 ... and ... 田頭 ..... so ?

I'm truly a raw novice with Japanese - and totally confused with this one !

.... or - is it at all acceptable to write a person's name in Hiragana? I suspect not !

 

[Buntaro]

These are pretty much decided, so you just have to learn them. I believe that Tagami is usually rice paddy + god. It is a good idea to write it in hiragana if you do not know the kanji. Japanese know that kanji are difficult for Westerners, and they understand exactly what you are going through.

 

[Glenn]

Also the Japanese don't know what the kanji are if they only hear the name. They can guess, but many times they cannot be certain.

 

[Sensuikan San]

I had a horrible feling that that was the case !

Thanks for the info. - I think I know how to handle it from here on in... !

Actually - in the case quoted - I "guessed" that [your response] was the appropriate one .... even if I had been wrong ... it seemed the most flattering !

Best Regards,

ジョン

 

[Elizabeth]

All you need to do is ask the kanji or reading -- whichever one is in question -- (and without using the word 'pronounce')....it really isn't that difficult.

お名前 (insert name) の漢字を教えてください。
お名前は漢字でどのように書きますか？
どの様に読みますか？