Tōzai! Tōzai!

[Sō Haruko]

www.japantimes.co.jp/text/ek20120717wh.html#.UAS5C3CnLej

In this article, Alice Gordenker says: "chindonya developed out of publicity bands that sprang up a little later and were called tōzaiya for their attention-getting cry of "Tōzai! Tōzai!" (Literally "East, west! East, west!" \ the Japanese equivalent of "Hear ye, hear ye!")"

Just thinking that it might be a fun Nihongo equivalent of "Oyez, oyez!" (Which, to be honest, I haven't actually heard used in Caid ... in the East, yes, but here in Caid, no, not at the few events I've been to. Weird ...)

I have noooo idea how to date Japanese words, though. I'm not even sure where to get started with that. The OED is great for English, but Japanese dictionaries are kind of beyond me past the basic level.

Just thought it was neat and wanted to share. ;D

[Saionji Shonagon]

I believe Caid uses "My lords and laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaadeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssss."
(We have a transplant among the West's heralds who doesn't Oyez.)

[Sō Haruko]

Hontooooouu? Really? That would explain why you can't hear them above the general hubbub.

[Deleted]

Jul 18, 2012 23:09:49 GMT -5 Saionji Shonagon said:

I believe Caid uses "My lords and laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaadeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssss."

I'll let the master respond to that one.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WryLqx4i-RI&t=3m01s

[Sō Haruko]

Aaaaaaah! *flees in terror*

[Please Delete]

When doing Japanese I like "Minnasama wo kikeeee! Minnasama wo kikeeeee!" Whatever you do, JL has it right--long and drawn out. Honestly, if you are loud and holding that last syllable, be it "Oyeeeeeez!" or "Tozaiiiii!" most of the people in the immediate area will shut up and turn to listen to you, if just to figure out what the heck you are doing.

-Ii

PS: If you hold it *too* long, people get bored and start back with their conversations.

PPS: This is equally true in business meetings as at SCA events.

[Sō Haruko]

So true. It's been a long time since I've done field heraldry, but getting attention and then getting on with it was definitely the right thing to do. (:

[solveig]

Noble Cousins!

Greetings from Solveig! As I recall, things generally start up with "Moshi agemasu!"