We don't commonly call the country "Nihon" in English because the name "Japan" became widely adopted through early European trade and exploration, originating from foreign pronunciations of the country's name, rather than its native Japanese pronunciation. While "Nihon" (or "Nippon") is the endonym, the name "Japan" is an exonym that evolved through centuries of linguistic transmission.
The Origin of "Nihon" (日本)
The name "Nihon" (pronounced Nee-hon or Nip-pon) is the original name used by the Japanese people for their country. It is written using two Chinese characters:
- 日 (Ni): Meaning "sun" or "day."
- 本 (Hon): Meaning "base" or "origin."
Together, 日本 translates to "the origin of the sun" or "the land of the rising sun," a fitting description given Japan's eastward location relative to China. It's important to note that these Japanese characters themselves were originally developed in China.
How "Japan" Came to Be
The name "Japan" is a product of various linguistic transformations as the country became known to the Western world.
- Chinese Dialects: Early European traders and explorers, such as Marco Polo, encountered the country through their interactions in China. The Chinese pronunciations of 日本 varied significantly by dialect. For example, in certain Southern Chinese dialects (like Hokkien or Cantonese), 日本 might have been pronounced something akin to Jih-pun or Jat-pun.
- Marco Polo's "Cipangu": The Venetian explorer Marco Polo, in his 13th-century accounts, referred to the island nation as "Cipangu." This name is believed to be derived from an early Chinese (possibly Wu Chinese) pronunciation of 日本 (roughly Jih-pen-guo), with "-guo" meaning "country."
- European Adaptations: As trade routes expanded, the name continued to evolve:
- Portuguese: The Portuguese were among the first Europeans to establish direct trade with Japan in the 16th century. They adopted a variation of the Chinese pronunciation, calling the country "Japão."
- Dutch: The Dutch, who later became prominent traders, borrowed from the Portuguese and other sources, leading to "Japan" in Dutch.
- English: The English language subsequently adopted the name "Japan" from the Dutch and Portuguese forms, solidifying its place as the common exonym.
"Nihon" vs. "Japan": A Comparison
The difference between the two names highlights the distinction between a country's self-identification and how it is known to the rest of the world.
| Feature | Nihon (日本) | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Name | Endonym (the name a group uses for itself) | Exonym (a name used by outsiders for a place) |
| Meaning | "Origin of the Sun" or "Land of the Rising Sun" | No inherent meaning in English; derived from foreign pronunciations |
| Origin | Japanese, using characters borrowed from China | Derived from Chinese dialects via European languages (e.g., Portuguese, Dutch) during early contact |
| Common Usage | Primarily within Japan, or by those speaking Japanese. "Nippon" is also used, often for official or patriotic contexts. | Widely used in English and many other international languages as the standard name for the country. |
In essence, while "Nihon" accurately reflects how the Japanese people refer to their own nation and its symbolic meaning, "Japan" is the historical and globally accepted name that emerged from the intricate pathways of cross-cultural communication and linguistic adaptation.
