Today's Beautiful Japanese
不知火
phosphorescent light
noun
Read : Shiranui(しらぬい)
Daily use: No use but many people know this word
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[ Meaning ]
A mirage phenomenon, in which countless lights flicker at night in the Ariake Sea and Yatsushiro Sea in Kyushu. It also refers to the mysterious fire in Kyushu, which is a type of yokai (specter).
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Youkai(Monster)
Fires appear offshore, far from the coast, floating above the surface of the sea. The fires start out as one or two, but gradually spread laterally and can extend several kilometers.
It is said to be the light of the Dragon God, and at one time it was forbidden to go fishing when the “Shiranui” was burning.
Today, “Shiranui” is considered one of the atmospheric optical phenomena and is said to be caused by abnormal refraction of light. In Shiranui, Uki City, Kumamoto Prefecture, a festival named “Shiranui Sea Fire Festival” is held after “Shiranui.
Fruit
There is a citrus fruit with the name “Shiranui.
Initially developed in Nagasaki Prefecture, the seedlings under test cultivation were later moved to Shiranui Town (Uki City) in Kumamoto and named “Shiranui”.
● Subcul Little Tips
Rengoku Kyōjurō, a character from the manga “Demon Slayer” and the Flame Hashira of tthe Demon Slayer Corps, manipulates “Flame Breathing”, of which the first form is called “Shiranui”.
The same Weekly Shonen Jump manga “Naruto” also has a character named Shiranui Genma. He was a referee when Naruto was takingthe Chunin Exams, and many of you may have seen his face as he appeared often in the story.
In this way, the word may be a good match for a work with a Japanese motif.
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Q. Can you read the kanji for ‘不知火 Shiranui’? Or not?
Our theme this time was ‘Shiranui’. This is one of those kanji where even among those familiar with Japanese, opinions are divided as to whether people can read it or not. Were you able to read it? Also, do you remember how you learnt to read it? Please share your story!
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