Too, silly I know. But I need help with writing ONE word, I would like to include the japanese script for the name of a flower in a painting I am preparing, I did find the translation on the net, but some clarification wd be welcome.

If anyone can help, please PM me!

Well, the basketball team I coach happens to be in a Japanese league, among others. Send me what you need and I'll get it translated.

オオアマチャ　Hydrangea　serrata　ｖａｒ．ｏａｍａｃｈａ　：大甘茶


Well, that is what I call complete "saving damsel in distress" service Freddy!

The above is the name of the plant in latin (Hydrangea serrata), with the japanese name for that specific variety (Oamacha). What I need to know, is which of the two Japanese "words" that go with it is actually the Oamacha part (may be they are two different writings for the same thing... but who knows!). And also, if they are actually written like that on paper... I thought Japanese was written in vertical lines, but I know nothing about it. ANd if yes, which part is the up and which part is the down? Well, as you see I am good at complicating my life. Japanese lettering in flower paintings, and what else!
But this painting has a strange story, as the flower in it, so I really wd like so much to do it like this, and possibly get it right!

Thanks for your help! It is NOT urgent, it will take me at least three or four weeks to do the painting!

Currently majoring in Japanese (going to graduate in a week!)

From what I see, Ooamacha is a specific type of (mountain?) hydrangea. What I've always seen regular-ol' hydrangea written as is アジサイ or 紫陽花. (Ajisai) If the specific type of hydrangea is important I'd go with the characters you've already been given. Looks fine to me.

As for how it would be written, it depends on how you want to write it. Both scripts are fine, although the first is typically used for foreign loan words or emphasis, and is less "authentically Japanese" than the second. Personally, I'd go with the second because it'll look more formal in the painting.

Whether you write it horizontally or vertically is up to you as well, but again as it's a painting I'd probably go with vertical, as that always strikes me as more artistic.

In that case, it would look like this:
ア
ジ
サ
イ
/
紫
陽
花

or

オ
オ
ア
マ
チ
ャ-note that this character is smaller! If you imagine each character inside an equally sized square, this character would be in the upper right hand corner.
/
大
甘
茶

Rule of thumb with Japanese is that it's left-to right if you're writing horizontally, and (first going down, then if there's more than one line) right to left for each line if you're writing vertically. But since this is only a single word and it's going to be in a painting you can feel free to put it anywhere you like.

I'd look up a kanji (Chinese characters used in Japanese writing, [This script:紫陽花]) guide on how to draw each one, as every character has a distinct stroke order that should be followed to get the correct calligraphy flourish. You don't have to, of course, but it'll look a lot more authentic and Japanese-speaking people can tell fairly easily if you've written a character correctly or not at a glance. Not knowing the stroke order can give a sloppy result regardless of artistic talent.

Here are some quick links that should help you:
First character
Second character
Third character
or
First character
Second character
Third character
They have an animated .gif showing each part of the character written in sequence.

I think that should be it. You might need to have Japanese langauge support enabled on your computer to see some of the things in those links, but the .gif will display fine regardless.

Hope that helps!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: applesplendids,

Jee, I am SO SORRY, I have only spotted this post now! I really apologise for my rudeness! Thanks for the explanations... I am going to read slow and digesting them now!

Snow, are we going to see this painting when it's finished?

Of, course if you wish!

It is not particularly Japanese in stile, apart from a certaing ikebanish quality to it and the fact that the plant IS japanese.

quote:

are we going to see this painting when it's finished?

Here it is!.

I have to thank again my japanese 'tutor', even if the result is probably not as neat as a purist could wish!

that is absolutely fantastic! i can hardly believe thats a painting and not a photo.

I will tell you something...painting like that is exhausting... I will be back to hot sketches now for a while!!

Snow you are one talanted woman! That is fantastic

Snow! i wonder why i constantly post to state the obvious.

your work is incredible. =)

quote:

Originally posted by Snowflake:

quote:

are we going to see this painting when it's finished?

Here it is!.

I have to thank again my japanese 'tutor', even if the result is probably not as neat as a purist could wish!

Hey, sorry I never replied before... it's been a busy summer! You did a wonderful job all-around with the painting, and the characters are great too! Most people who haven't been practicing kanji for long have difficulties getting each character to take up roughly the same amount of space (I still do) and you did very well, especially considering that it was part of a work and not simply a jotting of words on looseleaf somewhere

The rest of the painting is lovely as well, and the colors are especially nice. Very soothing.

Thumbs up all around. I'm glad I could help.

Bah, I drew squares on the paper before doing the characters, and still I could not stuff all of the last one into the square, so it sprawled out a bit.
Years ago I read a tiny zen story about calligraphy which filled me with holy terror about japanese writing, glad I passed the test with at least dignified results!!
Glad you liked the colours, taht is one of my favourite colour combinations!

Really very very very many thanks for your help!

Beautiful painting, Snowflake!