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[Chrispayneable]

Ossu!

I've always seen us foreigners with katakana on our belt (essentially because we were born with Kanji attached to our name). However, Japanese law states that a foreign can attach Kanji to their name if it's been used in some legal document, or if you gain citizenship/get married.

I have the JLPT2 and have signed certain documents with my Kanji name while in Japan (北音　久里須 as opposed to ペイン　クリス) and was wondering if, when the time comes to embroider my belt, I'm allowed to use my Kanji or is it tradition for a non-Japanese to use katakana?

Furthermore, are Chinese allowed to use their names? They're already in Kanji, but the pronunciation might be different so maybe it's in Katakana.

[kakatootoshi]

Originally Posted by Chrispayneable

I have the JLPT2 and have signed certain documents with my Kanji name while in Japan (北音　久里須 as opposed to ペイン　クリス) and was wondering if, when the time comes to embroider my belt, I'm allowed to use my Kanji or is it tradition for a non-Japanese to use katakana?

Your name is, well, being extremely respectful, try picture google "久里須" in Japanese google and see what you can come up with. Or perhaps this is what you want?

[Chrispayneable]

Thanks for the response! Oddly enough, googling my Kanji named gives me an anime character haha. I hand-picked the Kanji so it's indeed ateji (emphasis on reading as opposed to meaning).

My last name is extremely rare though, as there is no Kanji with the ぺ (pe) sound.

[kakatootoshi]

Originally Posted by Chrispayneable

Thanks for the response! Oddly enough, googling my Kanji named gives me an anime character haha. I hand-picked the Kanji so it's indeed ateji (emphasis on reading as opposed to meaning).

My last name is extremely rare though, as there is no Kanji with the ぺ (pe) sound.

I think there is a line between male and girlish names. Well if that is what you understand and accept.

[ashiharakaicho]

Osu,

Sorry to intrude, KakatoOtoshi, got your PM but could not respond. Please see http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums...469#post260469

[Chrispayneable]

Originally Posted by kakatootoshi

I think there is a line between male and girlish names. Well if that is what you understand and accept.

久里須 is a girlish name? I guess I never really paid attention... my name is Chris (クリス). Are the Kanji I picked feminine? Maybe it's the 里.

Edit: I should note I've had this name (kanji) for years now, haha.

[ashiharakaicho]

Originally Posted by Chrispayneable

Ossu! I've always seen us foreigners with katakana on our belt (essentially because we were born with Kanji attached to our name). However, Japanese law states that a foreign can attach Kanji to their name if it's been used in some legal document, or if you gain citizenship/get married.

I am rather comfortable with katakana then at least I can make out some of the characters to be able to read the person's name. Personally I am at a dilemma because often our members ask why don't we just have their names in English as others can't read Japanese.

On another note, never knew about such laws ...

[Chrispayneable]

Japanese law for foreign names are very flexible. Honestly, until you get actual citizenship, you can probably keep changing your kanji...

[ashiharakaicho]

Originally Posted by Chrispayneable

Japanese law for foreign names are very flexible. Honestly, until you get actual citizenship, you can probably keep changing your kanji...

Then why worry and just keep it to the simple katakana?

[Sanshou_Jae]

Originally Posted by Chrispayneable

Ossu!

I've always seen us foreigners with katakana on our belt (essentially because we were born with Kanji attached to our name). However, Japanese law states that a foreign can attach Kanji to their name if it's been used in some legal document, or if you gain citizenship/get married.

I have the JLPT2 and have signed certain documents with my Kanji name while in Japan (北音　久里須 as opposed to ペイン　クリス) and was wondering if, when the time comes to embroider my belt, I'm allowed to use my Kanji or is it tradition for a non-Japanese to use katakana?

Furthermore, are Chinese allowed to use their names? They're already in Kanji, but the pronunciation might be different so maybe it's in Katakana.

I use my name in kanji in the dojo and all legal documents in Japan. This is because I have taken my wife's family name (my wife's life in Japan will be easier if she keeps her maiden name, and in turn that means in Japanese law my future kids will have to have her family name as well.) So I went to the Kyuyakushou with the right documents and made a tsushomei (legal alias that is legally recorded and allowed to be used for all means). For me there is little to no point in a foreigner having a name in kanji unless for practical reasons like myself.

In turn my english first name translates into Japanese/Kanji directly.

As for Japanese name on your belt. I believe in Kyokushin/Seido-Kaikan etc in Japan you can only have the name you joined the dojo with on your belt. Maybe Kakatootoshi could clarify.