Journal, Writing

The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?

Posted by RamisaR on
月がきれいですね? // The moon is beautiful, isn’t it? // Tsuki ga kireide wanaidesu

Japanese novelist Natsume Soseki (1868–1912) of the Meiji period produced the phrase “the moon is beautiful” to express the Japanese equivalent of “I love you.” I first discovered this on Jean’s blog and was strangely moved by the delicate, subtle, poetic expression of nuanced emotions. Gentle. Soft. And the soothing comfort of the bright, twinkling night sky, enveloping your heart, your mind… and you.

Through some research, I uncovered the origins behind this beautiful phrase –and how its engraved into Japanese culture, although perhaps not as commonly in contemporary times– but I couldn’t figure out the relevance of the moon. Until I realised “好き/suki” means “like/love.” Comparatively, “月/tsuki” meaning “moon” is phonetically similar enough to “love” to constitute as a subtle –yet decipherable– translation.

Another metaphorically beautiful interpretation, unlike the more concrete phonetic similarity above, is:

The moon is beautiful. And I can recognise its beauty and love, because I see them in you. Thank you for letting me comprehend what true beauty and love is, for I was blind to these unfathomably spiritual experiences before this moment, before you.

***

From a more historical standpoint, the story of this translation is the following:

During Soseki’s teaching years, he overheard a student translating “I love you” rather awkwardly into its literal and direct translation: “Ware Kimi wo Aisu.” Soseki believed –as a product of his time and culture in the Meiji period; a period characterised by “feelings/jou” over “love/ai”– that this direct translation rejected Japanese sensibility. Thus, this more subtle, nuanced translation of “the moon is beautiful” was born. (Source)

As a personal researcher –with only the internet as a resource– I’m interested by “isn’t it?” as a common addition to the existing translation. I have no evidence to support the following contentions, but here are some theories:

  1. It is a question, discreetly asking if one’s feelings are reciprocated, but in the characteristically subtle, soft manner.
  2. Nonsensical; a way to dispel the intrinsic weight of the words, by adding empty ones to end. A rhetorical question that cannot be answered, but an attempt to… disperse the heaviness.
  3. A conversation starter. An added casualness to allow free-flowing outlet of emotion and experience… all in moderation, of course.

Researching this phrase has piqued my curiosity about my own language. Yesterday at midnight, I attempted to dissect and comprehend the etymology –the true meaning– behind the “love” in Bengali. We follow a more Westernised notion, where “I love you” is directly translated to ” আমি তোমাকে ভালোবাস/ami tomake bhalobashi,” where:

  • “Ami/আমি” = I
  • “Tomake/তোমাকে” = you
  • “Bhalobash/ভালোবাস” = love

Language is so beautiful and so interesting.

***

OTHER REVELATIONS AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT:

 

34 Comments Add yours

  1. hiphop571 says:
    December 13, 2022 at 12:22 PM

    The moon expresses so much beauty due to its emotional outlook it provides us all.

    We should give it a moment of silence to share with ourselves and/or a partner from time to time.

    Reply
  2. Dave Kenneth Imbo says:
    October 4, 2022 at 8:02 AM

    The research you put into this article is way too admirable, giving the fact that Japanese people are romantic on their own way. Thank you so much for letting us understand the beautiful of this language, we’re using it now to tell each other how much we love each other.

    Reply
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  5. intertwinethestars says:
    September 1, 2016 at 4:31 AM

    The amount of research you put into your posts is admirable and has also piqued my interest to look into the meanings behind words especially in different languages. Your own language is very beautiful.

    Reply
    1. RamisaR says:
      December 29, 2016 at 6:34 PM

      Thank you so much for your kind words, especially from a writer I admire so fondly. Will definitely need to revisit your blog for the updates I’ve missed ❤

      Reply
      1. intertwinethestars says:
        January 15, 2017 at 3:16 AM

        You are very welcome! Thank you very much, I am very honoured because you are one of the writers I look to – your eloquence is really striking. ❤ Thank you again!

  6. Tin Tran says:
    May 26, 2016 at 10:54 AM

    Actually, the Japanese romanji should read “Tsuki ga kirei desu ne?” since “kireide wanaidesu” would look like “きれいではないです”.

    Reply
    1. RamisaR says:
      May 27, 2016 at 9:12 PM

      Oh, how interesting! I took it straight from the internet (probably even Wikipedia… oh, shame on me 😉 ), so it’s wonderful to have a pair of professional eyes look over it. I’m impressed you know Japanese to this depth, though!

      Reply
      1. Tin Tran says:
        May 27, 2016 at 9:22 PM

        just remembering some stuff from anime and Yr 8 to Yr 10 Jap classes

      2. RamisaR says:
        May 31, 2016 at 8:58 PM

        ❤ idk about you, but I've watched so much anime… and yet can't retain a single sentence of Japanese.

      3. Tintin Tran says:
        June 27, 2016 at 5:23 PM

        I’m sure if you subscribe to That Japanese Man Yuta’s email subscription, then you’ll pick up something new every week or so.

  7. itshillary says:
    January 24, 2016 at 7:15 AM

    Thank you for the link 😄

    Reply
    1. RamisaR says:
      February 13, 2016 at 11:40 AM

      Anytime ❤

      Reply
  8. Srujan says:
    January 18, 2016 at 9:00 PM

    Thank you, for linking my post to yours! Really liked your interepretion of expression of love in various toungues and way! 🙂

    Reply
  9. missfresh77 says:
    January 15, 2016 at 7:11 AM

    Thanks for the link. Happy new year

    Reply
    1. RamisaR says:
      January 17, 2016 at 8:10 PM

      Thank you! Happy New Year to you, as well! 😀

      Reply
  10. Zenultima says:
    January 14, 2016 at 5:29 PM

    Thank you for the pingback and Happy New Year!

    Reply
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  12. asewalson says:
    January 14, 2016 at 12:05 AM

    Thank you for linking to me 🙂 Have a great day!

    Reply
    1. RamisaR says:
      January 14, 2016 at 5:52 AM

      You too, asewalson 🙂

      Reply
  13. estelea says:
    January 13, 2016 at 10:57 PM

    So interesting.. Unfortunately I dont speak Japanese but it fascinates me to read about the subtilities of this language and your post is so interesting. Wish my language were richer, I can definitely understand your passion for deciphering them..THanks a lot for sharing 🙂

    Reply
    1. RamisaR says:
      January 14, 2016 at 5:50 AM

      Estelea ❤
      Thank you for stopping by. I don't speak Japanese either, but the subtletitles of language –like you say– is so interesting. As for "your language," I was browsing your blog, and I wonder: is your first language French? You speak English beautifully; I can't tell. 😛

      Reply
      1. estelea says:
        January 14, 2016 at 10:01 AM

        Yes?..

      2. RamisaR says:
        January 14, 2016 at 10:18 AM

        French is such a beautiful language. I suppose I assumed it involves a lot of similar subtleties Japanese has, in terms of expression –would I be incorrect in assuming that?

      3. estelea says:
        January 14, 2016 at 10:27 AM

        Thanks for the compliment 😉 It has some, but not as many as in Japanese.

        Greek has much more to me, I love the fact that they have a few words for Love for instance, while we only rely on one. How can you use the same word for your hyper significant other and for strawberries for instance? Greek have one word for the filial love, one for the erotic, one for the foundness as far as I remember (maybe a couple more though). Makes things clearer. Being sexually attracted to someone is eros. But loving someone with all your heart is agapi. The feeling is different, it talks to different senses. I find it fascinating, because it helps you in reading your emotions too..

      4. RamisaR says:
        January 17, 2016 at 8:11 PM

        Thank you so much for the language lesson. I never realised so much of English came from Greek roots, because I’m familiar with these different words –for different variations of love– as you’ve described here. I definitely need to look into these words (and maybe write a post on them, because etymology is fascinating…).
        Thank you for bringing this to my attention ❤

  14. Parul Thakur says:
    January 13, 2016 at 2:27 PM

    Thanks for the mention! Have a great 2016!

    Reply
    1. RamisaR says:
      January 13, 2016 at 2:42 PM

      Anytime, Parul ❤

      Reply
  15. John Jr says:
    January 13, 2016 at 2:22 PM

    Thank you for the pingback Ramisa Raya.

    -John Jr

    Reply
    1. RamisaR says:
      January 13, 2016 at 2:24 PM

      No problem, John ❤

      Reply
  16. ceyeh96 says:
    January 13, 2016 at 2:07 PM

    Thank you for linking your post to mine! Happy New year and many blessings in 2016

    Reply
    1. RamisaR says:
      January 13, 2016 at 2:11 PM

      Thank you so much! Happy New Year & wishing you joy and wonder in 2016. ❤

      Reply
      1. Srishti says:
        March 1, 2023 at 5:00 AM

        Wow 😍 美しい

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