Kamehameha is the name of a powerful attack widely used by characters from Dragon Ball, such as Goku. But have you ever stopped to think about what Kamehameha really means?
The famous Kamehameha move is an attack where the character gathers energy in their hands, with their palms facing forward, and then releases that energy in the form of a blue energy beam. The attack is usually accompanied by an intense sound and visual explosion.
The name of the attack is a combination of several references and tributes, making it an interesting example of how anime and manga creators often draw inspiration from various sources to create their works.
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Table of Contents
Origin of Kamehameha
The name of the attack is a tribute to the Hawaiian king Kamehameha, who unified the Hawaiian Islands in the late 18th century. The creator of Dragon Ball, Akira Toriyama, visited Hawaii and was impressed by the culture and history of the state, which inspired him to name the attack.
King Kamehameha was born in 1758 and became a respected military and political leader in the islands. In 1795, he led a military campaign that unified the Hawaiian Islands under his rule, making him the first monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii.
During his reign, he implemented many important reforms, including promoting trade with foreign countries and creating a fairer system of laws and governance.
Kamehameha died in 1819, and his son of the same name succeeded him as king of Hawaii. The family ruled Hawaii for many years, and Kamehameha’s legacy as a leader, warrior, and statesman is remembered and honored in the Hawaiian Islands to this day.
The meaning of Kamehameha
The word “Kamehameha” has an interesting etymology in Hawaiian. The word is derived from two Hawaiian words: “kame,” which means “the solitary” or “the only,” and “hameha,” which means “the strike” or “the hammer.” Together, the two words form “Kamehameha,” which can be translated as “the solitary who strikes” or “the only strike.”
It is believed that the name “Kamehameha” was originally used as a personal name before being associated with the Hawaiian king. In the Hawaiian language, personal names are often created from words or phrases that describe the characteristics or qualities of the person.
It is possible that the name “Kamehameha” was given to the king due to his abilities as a solitary and strong warrior. Notice that even the name of the attack references his strong and unique ability.
Turtle in Japanese
The term “Kamehameha” has a connection with the word “kame,” which means “turtle” in Japanese. This is because the character who created and popularized the attack, Master Kame (or Kame Sennin, in Japanese), is a martial arts master who lives on an island called Turtle Island.
In the story of Dragon Ball, Master Kame is one of Goku’s main martial arts teachers, the main character. He is an elderly and wise character who lives in a turtle-shaped house and is known for his martial arts skills and wisdom. He is also the creator of the Kamehameha attack, which he teaches to Goku and other characters in the series.
The connection between the Kamehameha attack and the word “turtle” is related to the fact that the turtle is an animal that is seen as a symbol of wisdom and longevity in Japanese culture. Additionally, the image of a turtle is often used in many forms of Japanese art, including painting, sculpture, and ceramics.
In summary, although “Kamehameha” does not have a meaning in Japanese, its connection to the word “kame” (turtle) is a reference to the character who created the attack, Master Kame, and to his home on Turtle Island.
Other references and meaning
In Japanese, the term can be found written as [かめはめ波] where the last ideogram [波] means wave. Often the move is translated into English as Great Wave of the Turtle.
Although there is no direct link, it is worth mentioning some other references and Japanese words that we find in Kamehameha. Starting with “Hame” which literally means “to fuck” in Japanese.
The Kamehameha is a strong and powerful attack that ends up f***ing the enemies. The word Hame [ハメハメ] can also be an onomatopoeia “Hamehame” [ハメハメ] and both derive from the verb “Hameru” [嵌める] which means to put, to insert, and to fit.
So, if the protagonist repeats several times “hamehamehamehame” indirectly, he is saying an inappropriate slang. It is also worth mentioning that “Hamehame” also references the king of Hawaii.
Below are other Japanese words that remind us of the attack:
- 破滅 – Hametsu – Destruction; ruin;
- 波面 – Hamen – Surface of the wave; front of the wave;
Technique and Movement
The hand movement is an important part of the attack, as it helps to concentrate the energy needed to execute the Kamehameha. The technique is often accompanied by a loud and powerful shout, which also helps to release the character’s energy.
Although there is no specific origin for the hand movement used to execute the Kamehameha, it is likely that it was inspired by other movements from Japanese martial arts or other media.
Many martial artists, such as Matsutatsu Oyama, often concentrate their energy at a single point with the aim of delivering a powerful attack. This ability resembles the technique used in the Kamehameha.
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