Do you know what a Japanophile or Japanophilia is? Many people enjoy anime and manga, which is why they tend to call themselves “Otaku.” But as mentioned in another post, the meaning of this word in Japan is not viewed very positively. In fact, this term tends to be used as a form of depreciation by the Japanese.
On the other hand, there are people who like Japanese culture, the people, the history, among others. And even so, some insist on calling themselves “Otaku.” But after this post, if you are one of those people, you will have another term for yourself.
Yes, with a brilliant deduction, the term from the question in the first paragraph is the correct term. But hold on, let’s explain better so you know the reason. In fact, unlike Otaku, this term is viewed very positively by Japanese culture.
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What does Japanophile mean?
Before explaining this term, we need to dictate a more primitive term, Japanophilia. Japanophilia refers to the appreciation and love of Japanese culture, people, or history. In Japanese, the term for Japanophile is “shinnichi” [親日]. The term was first used in the early 18th century, changing scope over time.
In other words, a Japanophile is a person who is, has, uses, or practices japanophilia. Being a person who has an appreciation and a certain passion for aspects of Japan.
A bit of history about Japanophile
The term “Japanophile” dates back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Before Japan became more open to foreign trade, (read about the Edo Period). Carl Peter Thunberg and Philipp Franz von Siebold helped introduce Japanese flora, artworks, and other objects to Europe, which increased interest.
Lafcadio Hearn, an Irish-Greek author who made his home in Japan in the 19th century. This man was described as “a confirmed Japanophile” by the Charles E. Tuttle Company in the preface of several of his books. Others may include Jules Brunet, a French army officer who played a famous role in the Japanese Boshin War.
20th Century
In the first decade of the 20th century, several British writers praised Japan. In 1904, for example, Beatrice Webb wrote that Japan was a “rising star of human self-control and enlightenment.” And praised the “innovative collectivism” of the Japanese and the “strange” propensity and open-mindedness of their “enlightened professional elite.”
HG Wells similarly referred to the elite of his samurai in A Modern Utopia. Partly, this was a result of the decline of British industrial primacy, with Japan and Germany comparatively rising.
Germany was seen as a nearby threat, but Japan was viewed as a potential ally. The British sought efficiency as a solution to productivity issues. This interest, however, ended with World War I.
Will you switch from “otaku” to “Japanophile”?
If you only watch anime, read light novels, and manga, that’s fine, you are still an Otaku at least in the West. But if you are like us, who have a greater interest than just that, it’s time to change your title. Especially since calling yourself an Otaku won’t always be viewed positively. Especially when it comes to visiting Japan.
Believe it or not, the term, despite perfectly describing some types of people, is not very well known. Perhaps because it is an English term, the “otakus” passionate about Japan tend to reject it. Not to mention that the pronunciation is strange and difficult.
In reality, there is another term besides Otaku and Japanophile, which is weeabo and has several similarities. The difference is that Otaku and weeabo are pejorative and negative. I believe that the best thing is not to label yourself at all.
Of course, no one is forcing anyone to do anything. But anyway, it’s up to you. If you have any questions, suggestions, or anything like that, just leave it in the comments. Thank you for reading the article this far, goodbye.
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