Saiyuki names

[louiselux]

Can anyone point me to a good analysis of what Sanzo, Goku, Hakkai and Gojyo's names mean, or indeed can anyone tell me in some detail? I have very little knowledge of Japanese. I'm fairly clear on the number thing, but I know there are other meanings too. For Hakkai, meanings found so far on a cursory internet search are 'eight precepts' 'eight views' 'eight stormy seas'!

So, aaargh! confusing! I'd really appreciate some advice on this, if anyone can help.

The reason I'm asking and the reason this post is fairly closely locked to those likely to know is because it has to do with a remix story I'm writing, hence the desire to get things right.

Comments

[lebateleur.livejournal.com]

Okay, here I come to help, but with the caveat that the Ikkou's names are actually Chinese, so you may want to check this with a Chinese speaker. Anyway:

Sanzou - Three Storehouses. I believe this is 'Tripitaka' in Sanskrit.

Hakkai - Eight Warnings/Admonitions. Again, a Buddhist reference (dur).

Gojyou - The 'go' is the same character as 'satori.' And the 'jyou' means purity.

Gokuu - Same 'go' as in Gojyou's name, and the 'kuu' means 'emptiness' 'hollowness' and similar.

So, make of that what you will! (Hope it helps.) Did you need the given names too?

[louiselux.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! This is very useful.

Oh, yes, given names would be useful too.

Can I ask, what does 'satori' mean?

[mistressrenet.livejournal.com]

Of course you can, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satori) but I will link you to wiki as my buddhism is fuzzy and paraphrase-heavy. It is important to note that enlightenment, in Japanese Buddhism, is a transitory state. XD

I'm so glad you asked this, because I've been mulling Hakkai's name over for my essay.

[louiselux.livejournal.com]

Ah - excellent link, thanks!

I'd never known before that enlightenment was transitory. The comparison with the word epiphany is quite... enlightening! So Gojyo actually means something along the lines of, 'enlightented purity'. Interesting.

In one of the manga translations, Goku's name is said to mean something like 'knowledge of things unseen'.

Looking forward to seeing your essay, btw.

[mistressrenet.livejournal.com]

It's not transitory in all traditions. But I do think it's one of the things that throws readers from the Christian tradition the most-- the fleeting nature of Enlightenment, the way the people of Heaven behave....

I'm looking forward to finishing it. XD

[louiselux.livejournal.com]

Yes - it's as though you've got to go through a process of forgetting and then learning all over again, in continual steps, and with no end. Which makes sense because life isn't static.

[nightfallrising.livejournal.com]

The Go (which is the same for Gonou as well, btw) is also often translated as 'realize' or 'percieve.'

Here's (http://www.site-bg.com/nightfall/saiyuki/names.jpg) a breakdown.

[louiselux.livejournal.com]

Ah - perfect, thank you so much!

The word 'Cho' - does it just mean boar, or can it also mean butterfly? I know that Kanan has a background of butterflies at some stage in the manga, and, er, JK Rowling said that she picked the name Cho Chang for one of her characters because of 'cho' meant butterfly.

[lebateleur.livejournal.com]

Sorry about the late reply! Anyway, 'satori' is basically equivalent to the word 'nirvana,' only with a Japanese slant to it.

I'm at work at the moment, but I'll fix you up w/ the given names once I'm at home. HIH.

[tochira.livejournal.com]

Oooh, that makes things much clearer. I never did look up the Chinese meanings... but now I'm curious about the Sanskrit!

[wildelamassu.livejournal.com]

I've always heard "Hakkai" given as "Eight Remonstrances"--at least, that's how MJJ uses it?

[louiselux.livejournal.com]

Now I know a little bit more it seems to me that the literal translation 'eight limits', used in the context of Buddhism, makes sense as 'eight remonstrances'. I've also seen it as 'eight admonitions' or 'eight precepts', which add up to much the same thing.

[lebateleur.livejournal.com]

Sure. The thing you have to remember about kanji is that each has several different meanings depending on the context in which the character's used, and translating it into English just adds another complication.

[wildelamassu.livejournal.com]

*laughs* Which is why I never found the courage to take Japanese. Thanks for the heads-up, though.

[kinsugi.livejournal.com]

In the original tale, I've seen the Monkey King "Aware of Vacuity" or, I prefer, "aware of emptiness." Depending on your spin on Buddhism, it might refer to either an advanced stage of enlightenment (the original Monkey King, incredibly powerful, ate all sorts of fruits of enlightenment -- rather, I suppose, like trying to shortcut with psychedelics...) or perhaps his hunger to achieve enlightenment, or to fill the void. Pun upon pun, layers of wordplay, and now we have an always hungry Goku. No wonder Asian languages are so difficult!

I like to think of Goku as incredibly powerful (as Son Goku certainly is during battle!) and in such an advanced state of enlightenment that he has no memories and exists only in the Now... but since he's forgotten everything, he's forgotten that as well! Enlightenment seems to be very close to the innocent joy of a child... Goku at his brightest.

btw, this discussion was in 2005... have you any new resources or links on the subject? It's a never-ending source of interest!

[purpleicicles.livejournal.com]

Has anyone seen the kanji for Goujun knocking around? I wanna find them and their meanings for a piece of artwork!