More translation help requested 2
- Thread starter opr1945
- Start date
I’ll ask someone on the Japan forum…hold tight.
_Simon_147 178
Grandmaster
The original:
"Si vis pacem, para bellum."
Standard translation:
平和を望むなら、戦いに備えよ。
Heiwa o nozomu nara, tatakai ni sonaeyo.
Closer to the Latin:
平和を望むなら、戦争に備えよ。
Heiwa o nozomu nara, sensō ni sonaeyo.
Classical, proverb-like style:
平和を欲せば、戦いに備えよ。
Heiwa o hosseba, tatakai ni sonaeyo.
I hope it's not for a tattoo
"Si vis pacem, para bellum."
Standard translation:
平和を望むなら、戦いに備えよ。
Heiwa o nozomu nara, tatakai ni sonaeyo.
Closer to the Latin:
平和を望むなら、戦争に備えよ。
Heiwa o nozomu nara, sensō ni sonaeyo.
Classical, proverb-like style:
平和を欲せば、戦いに備えよ。
Heiwa o hosseba, tatakai ni sonaeyo.
I hope it's not for a tattoo
From the forum’s classical Japanese expert commenting on the above:
I like all of them.
Maybe the first one is the simplest, and least affected, and therefore the most effective.
The last one I also like, but I'm just a classical Japanese enthusiast and not an expert, so I don't know if its accurate (or if it could be tweaked to be made better). I have a nagging suspicion its close but not quite "classical". I just looked online and saw this one
平和を欲さば、戦への備えをせよ (Heiwa wo hossaba, ikusa he no sonae wo seyo) which scratches the itch a bit better. This phrase is well known, and attracts a lot of interest from Japanese netizens, so it pops up in a lot of Japanese searches.
I like all of them.
Maybe the first one is the simplest, and least affected, and therefore the most effective.
The last one I also like, but I'm just a classical Japanese enthusiast and not an expert, so I don't know if its accurate (or if it could be tweaked to be made better). I have a nagging suspicion its close but not quite "classical". I just looked online and saw this one
平和を欲さば、戦への備えをせよ (Heiwa wo hossaba, ikusa he no sonae wo seyo) which scratches the itch a bit better. This phrase is well known, and attracts a lot of interest from Japanese netizens, so it pops up in a lot of Japanese searches.
This is from a native speaker and expert
You have a few choices now!
Mina-san Konnichiwa！
All the translations are good! Although the words differ slightly, they all mean the same thing.
If you want to translate using archaic(Samurai ) language, the following terms would be appropriate.
太平を望まば、戦へ備えよ : Taihei wo Mozomaba, Ikusa he Sonaeyo
The word "heiwa : 平和" was coined during the Meiji era ; prior to that, the term "tahei : 太平" was used.
The term "sensou : 戦争" first came into general use during the Meiji era; prior to that, the term "ikusa : 戦" was used.
However, while the word "ikusa" is still in use today, "taihei" is no longer commonly used, so "heiwa" conveys the meaning more clearly than "taihei."
I think "平和を欲さば、戦への備えをせよ" is better.
You have a few choices now!
Mina-san Konnichiwa！
All the translations are good! Although the words differ slightly, they all mean the same thing.
汝平和を欲さば、戦への備えをせよ - Wikipedia
If you want to translate using archaic(Samurai ) language, the following terms would be appropriate.
太平を望まば、戦へ備えよ : Taihei wo Mozomaba, Ikusa he Sonaeyo
The word "heiwa : 平和" was coined during the Meiji era ; prior to that, the term "tahei : 太平" was used.
The term "sensou : 戦争" first came into general use during the Meiji era; prior to that, the term "ikusa : 戦" was used.
However, while the word "ikusa" is still in use today, "taihei" is no longer commonly used, so "heiwa" conveys the meaning more clearly than "taihei."
I think "平和を欲さば、戦への備えをせよ" is better.
Horrible place; cold, wet, dirt grey sea
Not jealous.
OP
OP
opr1945145 32
Master Black Belt
- Thread starter
- #11
(NOTE: I meant to post this this morning, however I forgot to hit post. It was my effort to answer my own question, however pathetic.)
Okay, I got this from google translate
If you want peace, prepare for war. == 平和を望むなら、戦争に備えよ。
Is this Kanji?
How do I get it into JPEF format?
Okay, I got this from google translate
If you want peace, prepare for war. == 平和を望むなら、戦争に備えよ。
Is this Kanji?
How do I get it into JPEF format?
OP
OP
opr1945145 32
Master Black Belt
- Thread starter
- #12
I want to thank all who contributed to this thread. I didn't realize how complicated the answer was going to be.
One of my grand daughters showed me how to take a screen shot, then save it as a JPEG. My project is not a tattoo but a garden column to be placed next to my outdoor makiwara. My local library has a laser machine for engraving but it needs JPEG or PNG files. So it looks like I am ready to go.
Thanks all.
One of my grand daughters showed me how to take a screen shot, then save it as a JPEG. My project is not a tattoo but a garden column to be placed next to my outdoor makiwara. My local library has a laser machine for engraving but it needs JPEG or PNG files. So it looks like I am ready to go.
Thanks all.
OP
OP
opr1945145 32
Master Black Belt
- Thread starter
- #13
this is my inspiration. Except mine will be wood. I have some 6"x4" beams left over from a project. So I am going to use one of those. The laser engraver CNC machine won't take the beams, So I will have laser engrave the saying on a piece of 1/4"x4.5" board, similar to the picture in post #1, and attach it to the beam set in the ground. I also have a solar powered lighted fence post cap to attach to the top.
I really appreciate everyone's help. Thanks.
I really appreciate everyone's help. Thanks.
Attachments
Chris Parker
Grandmaster
As Gyakuto found, it is a school name (Okinawan Kobu-ryu Karate-do). This is a fairly recent school, being founded around the turn of the century (2000) by Takashi Kinjo, an experienced practitioner of Uechi Ryu and Okinawan Kobudo.
Okay... considering that's a Latin phrase, there's no reason to expect you would ever find a Japanese translation of just randomly around... although there are some similar ideals that you can find in Japanese that may work, rather than trying to translate something from an old, dead language, to modern English, to Japanese.
Some to consider:
Heiho wa Heiho Nari (平法は兵法なり) - "The methods of peace come from the methods for war" (loosely translated). This is the first teaching of Tenshinsho Den Katori Shinto Ryu, and is the first sentence on the Mokuroku.
Satsujinken to Katsujinken (殺人剣と活人剣) - "The sword that takes life, and the sword that gives life", a teaching popularised by the Yagyu Shinkage Ryu.
Saya no Uchi de Katsu (鞘の内 で 勝つ) - "Victory Achieved From Inside The Sword Sheath/Saya". This principle teaches a preference for non-violent solutions, with the aim to gain success without violence (keeping your sword in it's saya). This is a popular ideal within Iai schools.
I really love my signature quote:
‘勝って 兜 の 緒 を 締めよ Katte kabuto no o wo shimeyo - After victory, tighten your helmet straps.’
The idea that you shouldn’t let you guard down even when you think you’ve won a battle perfectly encapsulates Zen, warfare, strategy (‘Zanshin’) and indeed life; alway prepare for the unexpected. It reminds me of something Canadian astronaut, Chris Hadfield once said about his thinking when he was up on the ISS, “I was constantly thinking, ‘Right…what’s the next thing that could kill me?’”
In Iai, after you have delivered the coup de grace, you withdraw slightly, watching intently whilst in a state of hypervigilance, as your enemy’s life appears to slip away, just in case they have enough life left in them to attempt to kill you.
On the unfortunate occasions I have watch modern TMA competitions (
) and immediately after a point is scored, the victor turns his back on his opponent and fist pumps the air, I find myself shaking my head and thinking, ‘They just don’t get it’ 
‘勝って 兜 の 緒 を 締めよ Katte kabuto no o wo shimeyo - After victory, tighten your helmet straps.’
The idea that you shouldn’t let you guard down even when you think you’ve won a battle perfectly encapsulates Zen, warfare, strategy (‘Zanshin’) and indeed life; alway prepare for the unexpected. It reminds me of something Canadian astronaut, Chris Hadfield once said about his thinking when he was up on the ISS, “I was constantly thinking, ‘Right…what’s the next thing that could kill me?’”
In Iai, after you have delivered the coup de grace, you withdraw slightly, watching intently whilst in a state of hypervigilance, as your enemy’s life appears to slip away, just in case they have enough life left in them to attempt to kill you.
On the unfortunate occasions I have watch modern TMA competitions (
) and immediately after a point is scored, the victor turns his back on his opponent and fist pumps the air, I find myself shaking my head and thinking, ‘They just don’t get it’ 
Same Trick92 43
Master of Arts
Next to the striking post shouldn’t be some sword poems but the hard core Karate motto associated with the makiwara :
一拳必殺 Ikken Hissatsu - One strike, certain kill
I think in this day and age, a peace-promoting motto would be better. Besides, ikken hissatsu is impossible, especially for karateka.
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