Do you want to be a Yamato Nadeshiko?

Nadeshiko Japan, Japanese women’s national soccer team, has made a historical triumph at FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Many people woke up bright and early in the morning to watch the live broadcast on TV and got excited about the thrilling match. Nadeshiko Japan’s wonderful plays brought some light to Japan that is still in darkness in the after mass of horrible earthquake and tsunami disaster. I, at least, was very impressed by the final match which made me proud of our national team.

Nadeshiko is a name of a flower and it is also used to symbolize the ideal of Japanese women, like “Yamato Nadeshiko.” The national team decided to use Nadeshiko in 2004 as a result of an opinion poll. It sounds lovely but I found it somewhat inappropriate for the team nickname because I’ve never heard anyone use “Yamato Nadeshiko” anymore. I think that the term is a bit out dated and it doesn’t really describe modern Japanese women.

Originally, Nadeshiko women were expected to be low keyed, reserved, yet having a strong will power. They usually obey their husband but once they get into a difficult situation, they handle it with their strength and firm attitude. (What a generous woman Nadeshiko is! I never want to be. ) The concept existed in my grandmother’s generation.

The time has changed. Now we are going toward gender equality. Both men and women cooperate together at home and at work. Moreover, some women might have managerial position.

Is there a better nickname that fits Japanese women today?