Sailor Moon Short Stories 1 Extra Translation Notes

Sep 09, 2013
Sailor Moon Short Stories 1 Extra Translation Notes
Sometimes we end up with more translation notes than we have space for in the book! Here are the extra translation notes from Sailor Moon Short Stories 1, available 9/10/2013. Van Kleef (page 52) An homage to the luxury jewelry brand Van Cleef & Arpels. Nakayopi (page 53) An homage to Kodansha monthly shojo manga magazine Nakayoshi, in which Sailor Moon was originally serialized. Yôkan (page 53) Yôkan is one of the traditional confections of Japan. Also known as neri (“stirred into a paste”) yôkan, it is a block-shaped solid jelly usually made from boiling red beans (azuki) or white kidney beans, with agar and sugar. The white kidney bean version is often flavored, such as with green tea, and either kind can also contain additional ingredients such as whole sweetened red beans or chestnuts. There is also a version with higher water content, called mizu (water) yôkan. Here, Usagi’s mom is serving a steamed (mushi) yôkan that is made using potato starch as the thickening agent rather than gelatin. Dental cavities (page 58) In Japanese, dental cavities are written using the kanji for “bug” and “tooth,” perhaps because in olden days, doctors used to think that a “tooth worm” was responsible for these holes observed in teeth. While Ami’s explanation on page 59 is mostly correct, the actual erosion of the tooth surface is due to the lactic acid produced when certain oral bacteria (such as the species Ami mentions) ferment remnant simple carbohydrates in the mouth. In addition, Minako’s statement in the next panel, about the jaw bones melting away if cavities are left untreated, is essentially a parental scare tactic used to frighten reluctant children into going to the dentist. While maxillary or mandibular osteomyelitis is a true medical condition, it is fairly uncommon (especially in developed countries), and is usually a very focal process, only affecting the area around the affected tooth/teeth. One needs to be more worried about the risk of systemic bacterial infection. Famous quotes (page 60) Usagi uses a line commonly found in a period piece (i.e. when a serf appeals to his overlord), which is so over-quoted that the original source is no longer known. Anmitsu (page 65) A popular Japanese dessert consisting of cube- or diamond-shaped agar jelly, sweet red bean paste, boiled peas, pieces of various canned fruit, and a sweet syrup. Additional toppings can include ice cream and shiratama dango, white mochi dumplings. Lalik (page 69) An homage to LALIQUE, the glassware firm originally founded by French glass designer René Lalique. JALU (page 85) An homage to JAL, Japan Airlines. Fruits parlors (page 91) Japanese eating establishments based on the concept of ice cream parlors, except that dishes feature fruit (in various forms) as the main ingredient. Correspondence courses (page 112) The pre-Internet way to do long distance learning, i.e. the analog equivalent of online education. Shinken Zoshinkai (page 114) Likely an homage to Bennesse Corporation’s Shinken Seminars plus Zoshinkai Publishers, both of which offer correspondence courses and mock exams. Guts (pose) (page 115) A “guts pose” is essentially the Japanese semantic equivalent of the English “fist pump.” Danger past, Four-Eyes forgotten (page 121) Usagi is substituting Umino’s nickname into the proverb “danger past, God forgotten,” which refers to someone who only prays to God in times of crisis. Idol (pages 132 and 187) Usually refers to young female or male media personalities, such as J-pop artists, actors, and models (but occasionally also foreigners). However, this Japanese phenomenon can also extend to civilians, i.e. the prettiest student or company employee. Test-taking strategies book (page 135) An homage to Wada-Style Curriculum, English Entrance Exam Walkthrough by Hideki Wada (the March 1995 edition), who has written many entrance exam prep guides. HXH (page 136) While “HXH” might appear to be an homage to Yoshihiro Togashi’s manga series “HUNTER X HUNTER,” this seems unlikely as it did not start appearing in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine until March 1998, and our story was first published in November 1995. Calpis Children’s Theater (page 139) One of the “World Masterpiece Theater” (official English name “The Classic Family Theater Series”) production groups that created annual television anime series based on a different literary classic each year. Titles include Heidi, The Dog of Flanders, Anne of Green Gables, The Swiss Family Robinson, and Little Women. Channel, Guccicci (page 164) Homages to high-end fashion brands Chanel and Gucci. Girlspeak/Kogyaru (page 164) Naruru and Ruruna are kogyaru (“little gals”), members of a Japanese female subculture movement that took hold in the mid- to late-1990’s characterized by hair dyed light brown or blond, tanned skin, and obsession with high-end fashion brands, although these two are a bit younger than was the average. Kyogyaru were usually of high school age and enrolled in posh private schools (but were delinquents). They also had their own unique style of speech, “kogyarugo,” that is probably most analogous to “valley girl speak.” Monchichi (page 170) An homage to Monchhichi, stuffed toy monkeys first produced and sold in Japan in the mid-1970’s. Gabrielle “Nata de Coco”, Gucciko Gucci (page 170) A nod to Gabrielle “Coco” Bonheur Chanel, the French fashion designer who founded Chanel, and Guccio Gucci, the Italian founder of the Gucci brand. Doutor (page 178) A Japanese coffee and coffeehouse chain. Ferrragamo (page 199) An homage to Italian high-end shoe brand Ferragamo.