In Japanese, Kisshu (written as キッシュ in Katakana) is the phonetic pronunciation or transliteration of the foreign name Quiche. It does not inherently carry a separate meaning as a Japanese word, but rather serves as the Japanese rendering of this specific name.
Understanding "Kisshu"
"Kisshu" is primarily recognized in Japanese culture as the name of a character, most notably from the popular manga and anime series Tokyo Mew Mew. The character's name, Quiche, is of foreign origin (like the French tart dish "quiche"), and when transliterated into Japanese, it becomes "Kisshu."
- Origin: The name "Quiche" is a foreign word, typically associated with the savory tart.
- Transliteration: In Japanese, foreign words and names are commonly written using Katakana (one of the three Japanese writing systems). This system allows for the phonetic representation of non-Japanese sounds.
- Pronunciation: "Kisshu" reflects the closest Japanese phonetics to the English or French pronunciation of "Quiche."
Usage in Popular Culture
The most prominent example of "Kisshu" is the antagonist from the Tokyo Mew Mew series. Despite his name being foreign and written in Katakana, which inherently indicates its non-Japanese origin, the pronunciation "Kisshu" has been widely adopted. Some international dubbers of the series have even chosen to use this Japanese pronunciation of Quiche, "Kisshu," for his name, rather than the original Western pronunciation. This demonstrates how a transliterated name can become deeply embedded within the cultural context of a new language.
Key Characteristics of "Kisshu"
Aspect | Description |
---|---|
Type | Transliterated Foreign Name |
Script | Katakana (キッシュ) |
Meaning | Does not have an independent Japanese lexical meaning; it's a pronunciation of "Quiche." |
Context | Most notably recognized as a character's name (e.g., Quiche from Tokyo Mew Mew). |
Pronunciation | The Japanese phonetic equivalent of the foreign name "Quiche." |
In summary, when you encounter "Kisshu" in Japanese, it refers to the Japanese pronunciation of the name "Quiche," rather than a distinct Japanese word with its own inherent meaning.