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magicfran:

I’ve noticed that several of my followers are Miyazaki fans, so I thought I share this little tidbit of information with you about Spirited Away.

I always wondered why the symbol “ゆ” (said “yu”) was on the door to the bath house. I asked my Japanese teacher, and he wasn’t too sure so I did a little research.

The symbol is used on the entrance to 温泉 (onsen) and 銭湯 (sento), or Japanese bath houses. The word “yu” is translated to “hot water”. So, makes sense to be on a bath house, yes?

Then I did more reading. During the Edo period, these public baths became popular for men because of women who started working at these communal baths, washing men and selling sex. These bath houses were called “yuna baro”. The woman were known as 湯女, or “yuna”. This directly translates to “hot water woman”. So basically, they were brothels. Guess what the woman who ran this bath house would be called?

ゆばば。

Yubaba.

(translates directly to “hot water old woman”)

Yubaba is the name of the woman who runs the bath house in Spirited Away. If you watch Spirited Away in Japanese, the female workers are referred to as yuna.

Chihiro was forced to change her name to Sen. Kinda like how strippers get names like “Candy”.

カオナシ/No-Face keeps offering Chihiro money. He “wants her”.

THEN I read interviews with Miyazaki. This was all put in intentionally. As we all know. Miyazaki’s stories are weaved with different themes and metaphors. He said he was tackling the issue of the sex industry rapidly growing in Japan, and that children being exposed to it at such early ages is a problem. 

To me, this makes me respect Miyazaki even more as a film maker. 

And also, frustrates me because so much gets lost in translation, and people see it as this cute childrens movie and this “master piece of animation” (which it definately is) instead of the real statement that it is.

Thought I’d share :).

I told this to my Japanese teacher today. He was speechless for a bit and then said “I NEED TO WATCH THAT MOVIE AGAIN OBVIOUSLY.” Haha.

Wow, totally changes the perception of the film

For anyone who went to see the deathly hallows pt.1 there was a certain part of the film that really stuck out to me, this was the animation about the story of the three brothers. The link above is to an interview with the director a must read for any animators. Also the director talks about a new film Pan which sounds like an awesome spin on the classic story of peter pan following the story of captin hook instead.

The laser beam i wastalking about below actualy links tate and fact for a new art project, in 2008 the beams linked the two cathedrals.

Was walking along the high street today and noticed lush has had a total rebrand, checked there online store aswell.

Didnt particulary like the old brand much not quite as strng as its main competitor body shop. Yet very bold move so striped back!

Thanks to Dan for following me. If you havnt checked out his website do so, very talented young man.

If you ever have a minute to spare while at your desk check this out! updated daily and really good facts!

Major inspiration of mine, follow these guys when i can and so should you!