schedule
May 4, 2006 at 12:00 AM
I understand and respect your defense of the sources and terms that you have chosen for use in your story. There are good ways and bad ways to bring things to anyone's attention. I also, understand to some degree what the other reviewers have stated. No one refutes that your mother is pure Korean, however, as was mentioned, Korean, and Japanese are not the same thing. Similar...Yes! Same...No! That is like saying that Greek and Italian are the same.
It most definitely is a misconception that Geisha are whores, and again, no one says that they do not offer themselves to men. It is, however, NOT the norm, and in fact is a rare thing that the true traditional Geisha would do. As was mentioned, it is easy to fix the errors and admirable that you have taken steps to correct such things. Also, keep in mind that citing 'I read about them being whores in many fanfic', is not a very good defense, as such stories are call 'fiction' for a reason, not just because they are not real. Had you been able to cite a reference from a dictionary, encyclopedia, or other reliable reference, it would have made for a much better defense and made your argument more plausible.
Please, however, try looking at this matter from another point of view.
You have a VERY good story going here, with a great plot. The presentation over all it quite well thought out. As I mentioned before, you need to really do a spelling and grammar check...."probebly" is actually 'probably'...it is not the 'Goshinbaku', it is the 'Goshinboku'. It you are going to use Japanese terms, PLEASE make sure of your definitions and the usage before you put it into your story.
Take for example your use of Shina, which you claim means 'virtuous'. Actually, it means nothing of the kind. In fact, here are the actual definitions of the word:
Noun 1. Shina - a Dardic language spoken in northern Kashmir
Dard, Dardic, Dardic language - any of a group of Indic languages spoken in Kashmir and eastern Afghanistan and northern Pakistan
* Shina (word), a Japanese term for China that is considered offensive
Shina (??, ??) is a Japanese term that is viewed by most Chinese people as a highly offensive racist term for China. Originally a word used neutrally in both Chinese and Japanese, the word gained a derogatory tone due to its widespread usage in the context of the Second Sino-Japanese War.
* Shina language, a language spoken in Hunza, Pakistan
Shina is a Dardic Language spoken by 321,000 people in Gilgit in Northern Pakistan in Ishkoman and Yasin Valley and in parts of Hunza. Spoken in Northern Areas including Gilgit District, scattered villages in Yasin and Ishkoman valleys, Punial, Gilgit, Haramosh, lower Hunza Valley; Diamer District, Chilas area, Darel and Tangir valleys, Astor Valley; scattered areas of Baltistan District, Satpara, Kharmang, Kachura, and other small valleys; NWFP, east part of Kohistan District, Sazin, Harban. Also spoken in India.
* Shina, A Language of Pakistan
'Virtuous' in Japanese is 'tokunotakai'
Try using the tools at hand. The Internet is after all, call the Information Highway for a very good reason. It is a wealth of information and resources right at your finger tips and takes almost nothing to use.
English to Japanese Dictionary
http://www.freedict.com/onldict/jap.html
Japanese to English Dictionary
http://linear.mv.com/cgi-bin/j-e/dict
Free Online Dictionary
http://encyclopedia.tfd.com
While not perfect, these three sources are an excellent way to find information and definitions for tons of stuff, including many of the terms that you are trying to use. They are invaluable in offering definitions, and resources to make what you are trying to do more accurate.
This is a great story, and I so look forward to seeing you continue it. I just do not want to see your fic and you torn apart by those who are far less tolerant of the use of the terms that you are looking to have in your story. It would not be fair to either you, your story, or those who are really enjoying this fic.
It most definitely is a misconception that Geisha are whores, and again, no one says that they do not offer themselves to men. It is, however, NOT the norm, and in fact is a rare thing that the true traditional Geisha would do. As was mentioned, it is easy to fix the errors and admirable that you have taken steps to correct such things. Also, keep in mind that citing 'I read about them being whores in many fanfic', is not a very good defense, as such stories are call 'fiction' for a reason, not just because they are not real. Had you been able to cite a reference from a dictionary, encyclopedia, or other reliable reference, it would have made for a much better defense and made your argument more plausible.
Please, however, try looking at this matter from another point of view.
You have a VERY good story going here, with a great plot. The presentation over all it quite well thought out. As I mentioned before, you need to really do a spelling and grammar check...."probebly" is actually 'probably'...it is not the 'Goshinbaku', it is the 'Goshinboku'. It you are going to use Japanese terms, PLEASE make sure of your definitions and the usage before you put it into your story.
Take for example your use of Shina, which you claim means 'virtuous'. Actually, it means nothing of the kind. In fact, here are the actual definitions of the word:
Noun 1. Shina - a Dardic language spoken in northern Kashmir
Dard, Dardic, Dardic language - any of a group of Indic languages spoken in Kashmir and eastern Afghanistan and northern Pakistan
* Shina (word), a Japanese term for China that is considered offensive
Shina (??, ??) is a Japanese term that is viewed by most Chinese people as a highly offensive racist term for China. Originally a word used neutrally in both Chinese and Japanese, the word gained a derogatory tone due to its widespread usage in the context of the Second Sino-Japanese War.
* Shina language, a language spoken in Hunza, Pakistan
Shina is a Dardic Language spoken by 321,000 people in Gilgit in Northern Pakistan in Ishkoman and Yasin Valley and in parts of Hunza. Spoken in Northern Areas including Gilgit District, scattered villages in Yasin and Ishkoman valleys, Punial, Gilgit, Haramosh, lower Hunza Valley; Diamer District, Chilas area, Darel and Tangir valleys, Astor Valley; scattered areas of Baltistan District, Satpara, Kharmang, Kachura, and other small valleys; NWFP, east part of Kohistan District, Sazin, Harban. Also spoken in India.
* Shina, A Language of Pakistan
'Virtuous' in Japanese is 'tokunotakai'
Try using the tools at hand. The Internet is after all, call the Information Highway for a very good reason. It is a wealth of information and resources right at your finger tips and takes almost nothing to use.
English to Japanese Dictionary
http://www.freedict.com/onldict/jap.html
Japanese to English Dictionary
http://linear.mv.com/cgi-bin/j-e/dict
Free Online Dictionary
http://encyclopedia.tfd.com
While not perfect, these three sources are an excellent way to find information and definitions for tons of stuff, including many of the terms that you are trying to use. They are invaluable in offering definitions, and resources to make what you are trying to do more accurate.
This is a great story, and I so look forward to seeing you continue it. I just do not want to see your fic and you torn apart by those who are far less tolerant of the use of the terms that you are looking to have in your story. It would not be fair to either you, your story, or those who are really enjoying this fic.
schedule
May 3, 2006 at 12:00 AM
Just for your information, and before someone takes insult by your words, the term Geisha does NOT mean 'Concubine/Whore/Slut for sale'. It never did, and still doesn't. Trying looking up the meanings of your terms before you post them. The word is defined as follows:
Geisha or Gei·shas
One of a class of professional women in Japan trained from girlhood in conversation, dancing, and singing in order to entertain professional or social gatherings of men.
Geisha never sold their services for their bodies. They are a time honoured, proud, and highly respected group that offered much to the culture that they are a part of. While not as prominent in Japanese culture as they once were, they are still a very respected group of women. To call them as you have is highly slanderous and could easily insult someone who is familiar with the ways of the Japanese.
Geisha or Gei·shas
One of a class of professional women in Japan trained from girlhood in conversation, dancing, and singing in order to entertain professional or social gatherings of men.
Geisha never sold their services for their bodies. They are a time honoured, proud, and highly respected group that offered much to the culture that they are a part of. While not as prominent in Japanese culture as they once were, they are still a very respected group of women. To call them as you have is highly slanderous and could easily insult someone who is familiar with the ways of the Japanese.
schedule
May 2, 2006 at 12:00 AM
Wow... I hope you realize that you're displaying some gloriously insulting ignorance to what a Geisha really is by saying the definition is "concubine/whore/slut for sale." Here I thought I'd seen some butchery of culture before, but you have brought it to a new low. Geisha literally translates to "art-person" or "person of the arts." They are traditional artist-entertainers. They were and ARE *highly* respected, and beginning STRICT training from a very young age in arts, music, dance, and storytelling. Geisha are not required to engage in sexual affairs. They might CHOOSE to do so, however it is done discreetly and out of context with their "Geisha" duties.
Next time look things up before you prove just how amazingly misinformed you are about an ancient, amazingly complex profession.
Next time look things up before you prove just how amazingly misinformed you are about an ancient, amazingly complex profession.
schedule
May 2, 2006 at 12:00 AM
this is great so far i absolutely love it i want Kagome to be with Kurama(Youko). please update again soon.
schedule
May 2, 2006 at 12:00 AM
Kage Otome here, From FF.Net, Who would've pegged Sesshoumaru and Youko for cuddlers, certainly not I, but it is amusing, especially what happened after that. ^_^ That was amusing. So Kagome's on something like a sugar high because of the energy around her? Interesting and she has guardian angels so to speak. Hm. Interesting.
schedule
May 2, 2006 at 12:00 AM
Ahahahaha! How amusing. Don't ask why I'm odd like that . It's like a battle for Kagome's hand, I rather like the Youko(or Kurama) pairing, but I really wouldn't object to whatever you decide, unless it's Inuyasha...Who has a mate, which is pregnant (how the hell did that happen by the way?). Anyway, I can't wait to see what you do next this is highly entertaining.
~Kage
~Kage