In Japanese, Peru is sometimes written as “秘露.” This form does not convey meaning but was created by prioritizing sound through a method called ateji. In this article, we explore the origin of “秘露” and explain how Japanese adapts foreign words into its writing system.
The Origin of the Term “秘露”
The term “秘露” was created by replacing the sounds of “Peru” with similar-sounding kanji.
- “Pe” = 秘
- “Ru” = 露
Thus, “秘露” was formed. The literal meanings of these characters — “secret” (秘) and “to appear” (露) — have no connection with the country of Peru.
This way of writing emerged from the late 19th century into the early 20th century, during Japan’s modernization. As Japan came into closer contact with Western nations, there was a need to record foreign country names in Japanese. At the time, katakana had not yet become widely used in official contexts, so formal documents and academic texts favored kanji representations. That is why Peru became “秘露.”
For Japanese readers, using kanji provided a sense of familiarity and dignity. For foreigners, however, it may look puzzling since the meaning and the country itself are unrelated. But for Japanese, this was a cultural adaptation — a way to accept new words while preserving traditional writing practices.
The Practice of Writing Foreign Country Names in Kanji
Peru was not unique. Many foreign country names were once expressed in kanji. This reflects the fact that kanji carried prestige and authority in Japanese writing. Especially in government, education, and literature, katakana was considered too casual, while kanji gave weight and formality.
Examples of Country Names in Kanji
| Modern Name (Katakana) | Kanji Form | Reading | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peru | 秘露 | Hiro | Purely phonetic ateji |
| Portugal | 葡萄牙 | Budōga | “葡萄” (grape) is coincidental |
| Spain | 西班牙 | Seibanga | Phonetic construction |
| England | 英吉利 | Eigirisu | “英” means excellent, boosting image |
| France | 仏蘭西 | Futsuransu | “仏” is same as “Buddha” but unrelated |
| Germany | 独逸 | Doitsu | “独” (independent) matched strong image |
These examples show that sound was prioritized over meaning. In some cases, the meanings coincidentally aligned with the country’s image, which helped the forms gain popularity.
Why Kanji Instead of Katakana?
Today, “Peru” is normally written in katakana, but in the past kanji was preferred. The reasons were cultural and practical.
Reasons for Using Kanji
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Prestige | Kanji was regarded as suitable for formal documents |
| Tradition | Rooted in Edo-era education and Chinese classics |
| Visual weight | Looked more serious and authoritative than katakana |
| Phonetic flexibility | Kanji offered many readings, useful for sound-matching |
This demonstrates that “秘露” was not a random choice, but a cultural decision reflecting how Japanese integrated foreign terms into their writing system.
The Role of “秘露” in Modern Japan
In modern Japanese, country names are all written in katakana. Therefore, “秘露” is almost never used today. However, there are specific contexts where it still appears.
Where You Might See “秘露” Today
| Context | Example |
|---|---|
| Historical documents | Meiji-era newspapers, diplomatic records |
| Literature | Classical-style poetry, novels |
| Academic studies | Research on the history of foreign word usage |
| Artistic design | Used for stylistic effect in branding or art |
Thus, “秘露” no longer functions in daily life but still holds cultural and historical value.
Ateji Beyond Country Names
The use of kanji ateji extended beyond country names and into daily loanwords. This shows that Japan tended to represent new foreign concepts in kanji first, before shifting to katakana later.
Examples of Loanwords Written in Kanji
| Foreign Word | Kanji Ateji | Modern Form | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee | 珈琲 | コーヒー | Evokes elegance of the drink |
| Tobacco | 煙草 | タバコ | Matches both meaning and sound |
| Beer | 麦酒 | ビール | Reflects its grain ingredient |
| Bread | 麺麭 | パン | Complex, fell out of use |
| Chocolate | 貯古齢糖 | チョコレート | Too long, never popularized |
These examples make it clear that the practice of using kanji was a widespread cultural phenomenon in Japan.
Key Points for Foreign Readers
For foreigners, the kanji “秘露” may seem confusing since it does not convey meaning about Peru. But understanding its cultural context helps:
- Sound comes first
- Meaning is secondary or irrelevant
- Rooted in history and writing traditions
- Rare today but valuable in understanding Japanese culture
Grasping these points makes it easier to see “秘露” not as an oddity, but as part of a larger pattern in Japanese linguistic history.
Conclusion
Peru is written as “秘露” in kanji because of ateji based on sound, not meaning. This practice, common from the Meiji era to early Showa, reflected Japan’s way of adopting foreign words into its writing system. Similar kanji forms exist for many countries, as well as for everyday loanwords.
Today, katakana “ペルー” is the standard form. But by knowing about “秘露,” we can better appreciate the richness of Japanese writing culture. It is a reminder that Japanese people adapted foreign influences with creativity, blending them into their linguistic traditions while maintaining a sense of dignity in written expression.
For learners of Japanese, understanding these historical forms provides deeper insight into the flexibility and cultural layers of the Japanese language.
