Troperville
Help us survive. All donations are anonymous on the wiki and unacknowledged, as we don't wish to create a hierarchy among Tropers.
Editing
Tools
|
|
|
|
My woman from Tokyo
She's so good to me
- Deep Purple, "Woman From Tokyo"
Typical Nadeshiko-styled character.
A complicated Japanese aesthetic and cultural concept. Broadly speaking, a yamato nadeshiko is a woman with attributes that were traditionally desirable in Japan from the perspective of male-dominated society; generally ascribed to people with traditional upbringings. Basically it revolves around acting for the benefit of the family and obeying and assisting authority figures (father, husband, sometimes father-in-law or older brothers). Virtues include loyalty, domestic ability, wisdom, maturity, and humility. A properly done one can also show a subtle, but definitely present, touch of iron, in that they are unwilling to let circumstances hurt the ones they care about. This is often accomplished so subtly that the target isn't quite certain how things got redirected. A kind of influence judo, if you will.
Physically, they are typically tall, willowy, modestly endowed and pretty rather than beautiful. They tend to have dark eyes and long, dark hair with bangs; you know, the kind of hair a Japanese person can actually have. (There are exceptions, of course.) Will dress rather girly (skirts, blouses, lace, ribbons; some may use jewelry, but not to the extreme).
Yamato nadeshiko characters pop up a lot in Magical Girlfriend series (usually in the character who will win the male lead's heart) and in Betty And Veronica love triangles. Similar to an Ojou, although more likely to be played straight. They tend to be very sympathetic, but their passive, reactionary nature puts them in danger of becoming Satellite Characters for more "interesting" people, as well as target of bashing from fans who prefer either Action Girl or Tsundere types (even more blatant if the Yamato Nadeshiko happens to be in a Love Triangle over a guy with one of these girls). They are much more popular in Japan for obvious reasons.
More information on this concept can be found in the sci.lang.japan FAQ . Compare Stepford Smiler for a critical take, and Yandere for a girl who seems to be a Yamato Nadeshiko, but hides a far more unstable psyche.
Examples:
- Belldandy in Ah My Goddess. In particular, her voice actress Kikuko Inoue is famous for playing this kind of role.
- Mercedes Herrera / de Morcerf in Gankutsuou, (voiced by Kikuko Inoue), also fits the role to a very large extent.
- Tendou Kasumi in Ranma 1/2 (also voiced by Kikuko Inoue) was the responsible eldest sister, and when Mrs Tendo died, she became the house's mother figure. She adopted a public face of Yamato Nadeshiko, but allowed her own selfish and snarky side to show at home. Later on, she was Flanderized to follow this trope straight unto the point of parody.
- Note that Kasumi's Tsundere younger sister, Akane, actually wants to be a Yamato Nadeshiko, while still being a martial artist.
- There were also two characters in the manga that tried to get revenge on Shampoo for beating them up as kids by using some weird flowers that turned whoever wore them into a Yamato Nadeshiko, even if they were male.
- Nodoka Saotome, Ranma's mother, is the very image of the Yamato Nadeshiko, as she fits the above description to utmost perfection. But then she hears how someone is menacing Akane or Ranko and she gets out her sword... Even if she's actually clumsy with it, there's a reason Genma calls her a "formidable woman."
- Aoi Sakuraba in Ai Yori Aoshi - a textbook example of this trope, to the point where other characters actually use the term in discussing her. She always wears a kimono, which is rare even for a Yamato Nadeshiko.
- Midori in Midori No Hibi, though she is also a Genki Girl at the same time, rather than the usual calm Yamato Nadeshiko style.
- Tytti Norbuck from Super Robot Wars somewhat exemplifies this a bit, probably more on the 'Loyalty' virtue (to La Gias). She's also voiced by Kikuko Inoue. It would be a full subversion if only she doesn't have a weird sense of taste, thereby guaranteeing anything she cooks will... suck.
- Nanase in Yumeria.
- An entire episode centered on this idea in Steel Angel Kurumi: Encore, which went so far as to have a character actually named "Nadeshiko". She, of course, exemplified this concept, and much humor resulted in the Genki Girl main character trying to imitate her.
- Megumi is challenged to a "Yamato Nadeshiko Cup" in Tenshi Na Konamaiki.
- The plot of Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge aka The Wallflower aka Perfect Girl Evolution is to transform the leading lady into this archetype. She has the domestic skills and looks (when she isn't drawn chibi-style); she's just made the conscious decision to let all the other traits slide, becoming a withdrawn and very creepy Yandere Dark Action Girl.
- Strangely, while she may never be the perfect Japanese woman she can apparently be the perfect Japanese man.
- Chitose from the Galaxy Angel Gameverse is played straight as a Yamato Nadeshiko. Like most everyone else in the the anime, she's parodied quite a bit, trying to be perfect but usually failing even to be tolerable.
- Yakumo in School Rumble.
- The name of the titular ship in Martian Successor Nadesico may be a reference to this term, as it resembles the Yamato from Uchuu Senkan Yamato.
- Cherry from Saber Marionette J is a Yamato Nadeshiko by virtue of her "motherly" role, but this is often overridden by her Tsundere and Covert Pervert traits.
- The Mysterious Thief Freyr in Matanei Loki Ragnarok refers to Mayura Daidouji as "Yamato Nadeshiko".
- Hikari in Neon Genesis Evangelion. Despite being a minor character, she appears in a lot of Japanese market pictures and figure sets. Such is the power of the Yamato Nadeshiko slash mother figure (when the best mother figure is a 14 year old girl, you KNOW the world is messed up (see Eureka Seven)
- Rodoreamon's character arc in Simoun follows her evolution away from the Yamato Nadeshiko that she is at the beginning of the series, as she develops more of a backbone.
- Live-action example: Swan Shiratori, Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger's mechanic, fits this description perfectly, though not being as tall or long-haired as most anime examples.
- Parodied in Muteki Kanban Musume when Miki Onimaru (normally a Yandere-like cranky waitress) got drunk and started to act like one, even to the point of loathing violence and acting submissively.
- Flora, one of the two potential marriage candidates in Dragon Quest V, is a Yamato Nadeshiko type. Contrary to the usual, however, she's significantly less popular than her more tomboyish counterpart - as evidenced in an episode of Lucky Star where this choice is referenced. Kagami's choice of Bianca, the other girl, is treated as being more sympathetic... and Konata's brief discussion of why you might pick Flora is purely about gameplay advantages, not character traits.
- Sakura from Fate/Stay Night is a good example, despite (or perhaps as a defense mechanism against) her horrific home life.
- Misae Ikari from Paranoia Agent uses most of episode 11, "No Entry", exemplifying this concept.
- Something of an Evangelion-style Deconstruction of the trope, as much of her "selfless" behavior appears to be the result of unusually realistically depicted clinical depression.
- Momoko from Sumomo Mo Momo Mo takes the entire series to demonstrate the concept, going from stalker to devoted companion, willing to follow her man even into the next world.
- Parodied in Tenjou Tenge, where Aya Natsume in the very first chapter becomes an obnoxious, ridiculously over-the-top Clingy Jealous Girl mixed with Yamato Nadeshiko because of a family tradition: any woman from the Natsume clan must give their lives to the first one who sees their naked skin, and Souichirou had the tough luck of being thrown into the dressing room while Aya was showering inside.
- Just about every Staff Chick in every RPG ever has this kind of personality at least in part; the Final Fantasy series has plenty of good examples, though Aerith of FFVII is arguably a subversion (she's not exactly docile and submissive, but she's otherwise more traditionally feminine than the other girls and does occupy the 'comforting, mothering figure' aspect - which she comments on in Advent Children). The best examples from the series would probably be devoted love interest Rosa from FFIV, Garnet/Dagger (when she's being a demure little princess and not a rebellious one) from FFIX and especially Yuna... in FFX, though definitely not in X-2.
- Actually, I would say Terra/Tina from FFVI is the series' prototype Yamato Nadeshiko when she's in human form; so much as to take care of-and be loved by-a ragtag group of orphans after Kefka takes over a broken world that he broke.
- Juli Mizrahi from Xenosaga fits this trope well. MOMO could be a Yamato Nadeshiko in training, but she's apparently ten years old, so it's a totally different trope. But she is a Staff Chick, at least in the first game.
- Shion Uzuki is also a fairly good example. Though she is foreward and strong-willed, she also is a motherly figure throughout the game's symbolism, cooks often, and has a classical 'japanese-girl' look to her.
- Like MOMO above, Saginomiya Isumi from Hayate the Combat Butler could apply for a Yamato Nadeshiko if she wasn't thirteen years old. Although she isn't quite a Staff Chick, but an exorcist.
- Nadeshiko from Inukami. It's in the name.
- Non-anime example: Mrs. Ramsay from Virginia Woolf's novel To The Lighthouse.
- Sakura's dead mother, Nadeshiko, in Card Captor Sakura. Oh look, another one.
- Subverted in Ouran High School Host Club: Tamaki often imagines Haruhi, who is actually a bifauxnen, as one; before coming to Ouran and cutting her hair, she resembled one, as well.
- Mayl, the love interest for ten-year-old Lan in Mega Man Battle Network, clearly aims to be his yamato nadeshiko when they grow up. In the Distant Finale, she's succeeded.
- Western example: Pam from the US version of The Office.
- Subverted in Rurouni Kenshin, where Tomoe Yukishiro is sweet, hardworking, so calm and collected she looked borderline cold... and was actually a spy who wanted to kill Kenshin for murdering her fiancé. She actually opens up a bit and does fall for Kenshin, "her second love", but ends up dead. And several years later, Kenshin falls for the Tsundere Kaoru, who in the infamous Seishouhen OAV grows up into a sort-of Yamato Nadeshiko.
- Most of the Harvest Moon games have at least one. In the original and Magical Melody, it's the Maria character. In HM 64, Back To Nature, and Friends of Mineral Town, it's Elli. In A Wonderful Life, it's Celia. It could be considered a subversion that said character is never the easiest to marry.
- Another Western Example: Adèle Ratignolle from Kate Chopin's novel The Awakening. Her submissiveness and devotion to her family and husband make her a foil to the protagonist Edna.
- Gundam SEED has Lacus Clyne (with heavy emphasis on the wisdom), a Yamato Nadeshiko who uses her Idol Singer status to become a political juggernaut. Slightly subversive in her status as the leader of the Three Ships Alliance; her Yamato Nadeshiko side is decidedly more obvious in Gundam SEED Destiny, particularly the first half where she spends her days as a homemaker/mother figure to a gaggle of orphans. This looks to have been subverted by the ending to Destiny, though, which implies that Lacus is the new leader of the PLANTs. Given that it's the only government of a major power that's still intact (the previous leader of the PLANTs had conquered the Earth Alliance and killed its leaders) and the minor nations had already sided with her beforehand, Lacus effectively now rules the world.
- In Kim Possible, Ron's first girlfriend Yori, who is very submissive and deferrent despite her impressive martial-arts skills. When Kim and Ron finally hook up in season four, Yori calmly accepts it, claiming it to be destiny.
- In Digimon Adventure 02, one of Genki Girl Miyako Inoue's image songs is called Yamato Nadeshiko Panic; the lyrics are about how much she wants to be more of a Yamato Nadeshiko. And in the Distant Finale, she is. Kinda.
- Kazusa from Kamichama Karin.
- Saeko Busujima from High School of the Dead, with an Heir To The Dojo twist. The other twist is under that polite exterior there's a sadist itching to get out and beat the crap out of everyone. Fortunately for her friends there's a lot of zombies to kill.
- Momo Hinamori from Bleach, also to the extent that a Shinigami can be. Meaning, she's one Yamato Nadeshiko who can burn you with Tobiume's energy blasts if she gets pissed off...
- In that same series, a more by-the-book Yamato Nadeshiko would be the beautiful, feminine, ultra-polite and graceful Miyako, former 3rd officer of the 13th division and wife of its lieutenant, Kaien Shiba. When remembering her, Rukia Kuchiki says that Miyako was her idol and pretty much her ideal woman, sorta.
- The 4th Captain, Unohana Retsu, counts as well, mixing this with Team Mom traits.
- Unlucky Childhood Friend Dawn Star from Jade Empire, despite being a master martial artist with Psychic Powers, is otherwise a perfect example of this trope In ANCIENT CHINA!.
- Iris from Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations. Her twin sister, Dahlia Hawthorne, is a Yandere to the extreme.
- Setsuna Sakurazaki of Mahou Sensei Negima was once described as this by Weasel Mascot Chamo for being quiet and fair-skinned with raven-black hair (at least in the original translation). Keep in mind, however, that once we actually get to know her, she drops this facade and instead becomes a Bad Ass sword-slinging Samurai-type. Meanwhile, Konoka Konoe, being a Princess formerly living in a Big Fancy Temple Complex and heir to an ancient family who leads a prominent Magical Organization seems to approach this quite effectively, especially during her Omiais when she wears a kimono. More noticable when she eats the magical aging pills.
- Sango of Inu Yasha is an interesting subversion of the trope, a willowy dark-haired pretty-not-beautiful girl who follows family tradition... by being a demon-slayer. Her existence is testament to the idea that the traditional family girl can still be handy to have around in a tight spot.
- Nunnally and Euphemia in Code Geass might be Brittanian, but they both show some traits of the Yamato Nadeshiko types. Specially Nunnally, since Euphie is a bit more rebellious.
- Kallen's biological mother, Mrs. Kouzuki, apparently fits in the mold, but she can be seen as a deconstruction: she is devoted to her daughter and her dead son, but the war left her psychologically damaged and she was addicted to a drug that makes you relive happier times. Kallen also thought her mother was still devoted to her biological father, who basically just used her.
- It's now normal for Tales leads to get paired with a Tsundere by the story, but in Tales Of Phantasia, the tsundere went to best friend Chester, and the main character got Mint, who is such a perfect example of this trope that she basically gets it as a title. In Tales Of Symphonia, you get neither (although you can pick the tsundere, the Dojikko Chosen One is the designated love interest if you don't, and there's no yamato nadeshiko to be found).
- In The Prince Of Tennis manga and OAV's, Sakuno Ryuzaki is portrayed as more mature and less klutzy, fitting the Yamato Nadeshiko mold pretty well.
- In a rare non-anime example of this trope, Lady Ekaterin Vorkosigan (nee Vorsoisson) from the Miles Vorkosigan novels fits the above description almost to a T... right down to an iron determination to live up to the public mores of an almost oppressively patriarchal culture with a traditional subordinate role for women, her being the ideal wife and mother by said cultural standards, her impeccable reserve and good manners, even her quiet dark-haired beauty. And the requisite willpower of steel in the service of unimpeachable honor lying underneath it all.
- Ekaterin is both a subversion and an upholding of this trope - subversion in that her first marriage almost emotionally destroyed her, as her determination to be a good wife and mother by her cultural standards trapped her for ten years in a marriage to an abusive idiot. And upheld in that her second marriage to Miles Vorkosigan, after Tien Vorsoisson finally got himself killed via his own stupidity, has become exactly as per the trope description above, under the subtle tutelage of...
- Miles' mother, Countess Cordelia, galactic champion of subtle psychological jiu-jitsu, who has happily settled into occupying the Yamato Nadeshiko role to Count Aral Vorkosigan in her older age. Although unlike Ekaterin she's actually a retired Action Girl, and can stay retired because after a legendary Mama Bear incident in Miles' infancy no one on Barrayar is insane enough to give her any reason to un-retire.
- Depending on which series you are watching and how you watch it a decent number of the cast of Tenchi Muyo characters fall in this category. Sasami, Ayeka and Kiyone all can be considered this, although the last two often fall out of this due to excessive Flanderization. Interestingly, the same influences cause Sasami to become MORE of one.
- Subverted with Kaede in Shuffle: She seems to be this at the start, being unfailingly gentle and subservient, but when her love interest Rin starts falling for someone else, well...
|
|
