Anyone read Japanese?

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Posted By: Chad

I took a chance on this card because prewar Japanese cards are tough and I ahve a soft spot for the tools of ignorance. Anybody know anything about it? If anyone can translate the back, even just to say it's jibberish, I would appreciate it greatly.

--Chad

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Posted By: davidcycleback

I know a guy who co-wrote a book on the Japanese language. I'll email him a picture.

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Posted By: Chad

I'm hoping there's a clue as to the era, team and player the card depicts. If it's a shopping list or ideas for a haiku quickly scribbled down, well, that's kind of cool too!

--Chad

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Posted By: Tom Boblitt

Spicy Tuna Roll and Tempura appetizer or something.......

Good luck. Odds are it's something neat. Neat enough anyway............

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Posted By: leon

I think it says "Two number 3's, extra soy sauce, and make it fried rice"....

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Posted By: davidcycleback

I asked a Japanese baseball historian and writer why the Major League Japanese teams have the jersey names in English. He said it is because they think it looks nice.

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Posted By: Andrew Parks

I can have our Japanese student here translate it, but it won't be until 3:15 after school is out.

I'll try and find her.

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Posted By: Anonymous

I just asked one of my patients who is a Japanese. She said they are just a list of Japanese names. Nothing informative, probably players in that team. Hope this help.

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Posted By: Chad

I appreciate the info. If nothing else, the writing adds to the charm of the card.

--Chad

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Posted By: Andrew Parks

Yes they are all names of most likely -players.

Starting from the 12 O'Clock position and moving clockwise:

(Last name) First name
(Naka Jima) ?
(Kawasaki) Shuji
(Chi Ba) Shigeru
(Kawasaki) Tetsuji
(O Ta) ?
(Hira Yama) Kikuji
(Ao Yama) Noboru
(Shira Ishi) Tetsu O
(Yamakawa) Ko Saku
(Mi Hara) Osamu
(Naka O) ?

In Japan, people go by last names first and first names last.

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Posted By: Chad

It will really come in handy if I can ever find a source to cross reference it. Thanks.

--Chad

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Posted By: David McDonald

Tanimitsu
Mitsuyoshi
Yoshimura
Murakami
Kamikawa
Kawamatsu
Matsutaka
Takahashi
Hashimoto
Motooka
Okafune
Funeshige
Shigeyasu
Yasutaka
Takamine
Minehiro
Hiroyama
Yamanaka
Nakashima
Shimakuro
Kurosato
Satogata
Gata go now.

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Posted By: Darrell

As luck would have it - I just returned from a trip to Japan - got to see Chinichi Dragons and Hanschin Tigers at Nagoya Dome - my Japanese counterpart here looked at this ---
Those names mentioned above are right --- These appear to be players from the Giants (Tokyo) team from the late '30's early 40's --- I guess Chiba and Mirayama were pretty big players ---- he said some of them came back to manage after WWII..... Hope that helps

Chinichi Dragons rule!! - Or at least their bullpen is better than the Tribe right now ......Darrell

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Posted By: Chad

So if I can figure out the catcher for the Giants in the 30's, I might have my man? Being able to pin it down to the 30's is great news. Thanks.

--Chad

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Posted By: warshawlaw

The card is most likely an uncatalogued bromide from the period just after the war. Shigeru Chiba: Giants 1938-56, HOF 1980: Nicknamed “the Formidable Buffalo”, Giants second baseman 1938-1958, 7 consecutive "Best Nine" teams (1947-53), 5x All-Star. Try www.prestigecollectibles.com for more information; Gary Engel (who is currently running an auction) wrote the book on Japanese cards.