日本のハチマキには大抵気合いを入れる言葉が使われていて、外国人の観光客の間では大変人気です。ハチマキには「必勝」とか「合格」とか「闘魂」など伝統的なものが書いてあるけど、逆に最近の不景気を反映するフレーズをハチマキに入れたらどうかな～ってふと思った。たとえば、「絶望」とか「諦める」とか「凹む」とか「もうええねん」とか。。。

In Japan, Hachimaki (headbands) are usually worn with words symbolizing effort or perseverance printed on them. They tend to be quite popular with tourists. Traditionally words such as “victory”, “success”, “fighting spirit” are written on them. However, as a reflection of these hard economic times I thought it might be interesting to make some new ones with words such as “Hopelessness”, “I give up”, “I’m down” and “I’ve had it!”.

典型的なハチマキの言葉

Typical words written on Hachimaki

闘魂 - tōkon – Fighting spirit

必勝 - Hisshō – Victory

神風 – Kamikaze – Divine wind

一番 – Ichiban – Number one

日本 – Nippon – Japan

合格 – Gōkaku – Success

禅 – Zen – Zen

忍者 – Ninja – Ninja

祭 – Matsuri – Festival / Celebration

万歳 – Banzai – Cheering / hurray ! (lit.1000 years)

祝福 – Shukufuku – Welcoming in good luck