Hinomoto Oniko
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese moe character created in 2010 which originated from the Breaking News (VIP) Board on 2channel
, and has since become an internet meme
within various forums and imageboards in Japan. The character is a moe anthropomorphism
of the phrase "日本鬼子", a commonly used Chinese ethnic slur used against persons of Japanese descent.
of the aforementioned Chinese racial term. In China
, the term 日本鬼子 is a phrase used since World War II
, and still used today, as a disparaging epithet against the Japanese. Japanese netizens chose to transform the normally racist and offensive phrase into a character which could be depicted as "cute" or moe, in an expression that the negative connotations behind the slur can be reversed. The creation of the character in 2010 follows the escalation of the Senkaku Islands dispute
as a result of the fishing trawler collision incident
which occurred not too long before, and was intended as a "hit back" response against growing anti-Japanese sentiment
amongst Chinese netizens online and within the public opinion of Chinese people in general following the island dispute incident.
. However, the characters can be alternately read using Kun'yomi as Hinomoto Oniko, which in Japanese resembles a female name. Within the Kun'yomi reading, the character's "surname
" Hi no moto can have the literal meaning "origin of the sun
", whilst Japanese given names ending in 子 ko are considered feminine, and are generally used as girls' names (for example, 山田花子 Yamada Hanako is a placeholder female name
).
and demon horns, whilst holding various motifs unique to Japanese culture, such as a naginata
and a hannya
mask. A variant of the character is known as "little Oniko" (Ko-hinomoto or Konipon) (derived from another Chinese slur, 小日本 ), who is depicted as a pre-pubescent girl of similar appearance to the original Oniko, and also carries Japanese culture-related motifs along with her.
2channel
is a Japanese textboard. In 2007 there were 2.5 million posts made every day. Launched in 1999, it has gained significant influence in Japanese society, comparable to that of traditional mass media such as television, radio, and magazines. As of 2008, the site generates revenue upwards of ¥100...
, and has since become an internet meme
Internet meme
The term Internet meme is used to describe a concept that spreads via the Internet. The term is a reference to the concept of memes, although the latter concept refers to a much broader category of cultural information.-Description:...
within various forums and imageboards in Japan. The character is a moe anthropomorphism
Moé anthropomorphism
is a form of anthropomorphism where moe qualities are given to non-human beings, objects, concepts, or phenomena. In addition to moe features, moe anthropomorphisms are also characterized by their accessories, which serve to emphasize their original forms before anthropomorphosis...
of the phrase "日本鬼子", a commonly used Chinese ethnic slur used against persons of Japanese descent.
Backgrounds
The character was originally conceived by users on a 2ch board as a satireSatire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
of the aforementioned Chinese racial term. In China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, the term 日本鬼子 is a phrase used since World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and still used today, as a disparaging epithet against the Japanese. Japanese netizens chose to transform the normally racist and offensive phrase into a character which could be depicted as "cute" or moe, in an expression that the negative connotations behind the slur can be reversed. The creation of the character in 2010 follows the escalation of the Senkaku Islands dispute
Senkaku Islands dispute
The Senkaku Islands dispute concerns a territorial dispute on a group of uninhabited islands, the Senkaku Islands, which are also known as the Diaoyu or Diaoyutai Islands. These disputed islands are currently controlled and administered by Japan, and claimed by both the People's Republic of China...
as a result of the fishing trawler collision incident
2010 Senkaku boat collision incident
The 2010 Senkaku Boat Collision Incident occurred on the morning of September 7 2010 when a Chinese trawler, Minjinyu 5179, operating in disputed waters collided with Japanese Coast Guard's patrol boats near the Senkaku Islands...
which occurred not too long before, and was intended as a "hit back" response against growing anti-Japanese sentiment
Anti-Japanese sentiment
Anti-Japanese sentiment involves hatred, grievance, distrust, dehumanization, intimidation, fear, hostility, and/or general dislike of the Japanese people and Japanese diaspora as ethnic or national group, Japan, Japanese culture, and/or anything Japanese. Sometimes the terms Japanophobia and...
amongst Chinese netizens online and within the public opinion of Chinese people in general following the island dispute incident.
Etymology
In Japanese, the slur 日本鬼子 is generally read as Nihon kishi, the On'yomi reading of the four kanjiKanji
Kanji are the adopted logographic Chinese characters hanzi that are used in the modern Japanese writing system along with hiragana , katakana , Indo Arabic numerals, and the occasional use of the Latin alphabet...
. However, the characters can be alternately read using Kun'yomi as Hinomoto Oniko, which in Japanese resembles a female name. Within the Kun'yomi reading, the character's "surname
Japanese name
in modern times usually consist of a family name , followed by a given name. "Middle names" are not generally used.Japanese names are usually written in kanji, which are characters of usually Chinese origin in Japanese pronunciation...
" Hi no moto can have the literal meaning "origin of the sun
Names of Japan
There are many names of Japan in the English, Japanese, and other languages. The word "Japan" is an exonym, and is used by a large number of languages. The Japanese names for Japan are Nippon and Nihon . They are both written in Japanese using the kanji 日本...
", whilst Japanese given names ending in 子 ko are considered feminine, and are generally used as girls' names (for example, 山田花子 Yamada Hanako is a placeholder female name
Japanese name
in modern times usually consist of a family name , followed by a given name. "Middle names" are not generally used.Japanese names are usually written in kanji, which are characters of usually Chinese origin in Japanese pronunciation...
).
Characteristics
The main design motif is based on the Oni in Japanese folklore. Since the character was designed to be a "personification" of the slur, she is portrayed as a young woman with long black hair and pale skin, often wearing a kimonoKimono
The is a Japanese traditional garment worn by men, women and children. The word "kimono", which literally means a "thing to wear" , has come to denote these full-length robes...
and demon horns, whilst holding various motifs unique to Japanese culture, such as a naginata
Naginata
The naginata is one of several varieties of traditionally made Japanese blades in the form of a pole weapon. Naginata were originally used by the samurai class in feudal Japan, and naginata were also used by ashigaru and sōhei .-Description:A naginata consists of a wooden shaft with a curved...
and a hannya
Hannya
The Hannya mask is a mask used in Japanese Noh theater, representing a jealous female demon or serpent. It possesses two sharp bull-like horns, metallic eyes, and a leering mouth split from ear to ear.-Origin of the name:...
mask. A variant of the character is known as "little Oniko" (Ko-hinomoto or Konipon) (derived from another Chinese slur, 小日本 ), who is depicted as a pre-pubescent girl of similar appearance to the original Oniko, and also carries Japanese culture-related motifs along with her.
External links
- hinomotooniko＠ウィキ
- 鬼子プロジェクト (oniko_project) on Twitter
- 28 October 2010, Japan Fights China with Moe, China Crushed, Sankakucomplex
- 2 November 2010, Japanese Netizens turn Chinese derogatory term into beautiful young girl anime character, ChinaHush
- (万物皆可萌)日本鬼子萌化中---2CH萌娘日本鬼子
- 日本鬼子萌化中
- Hinomoto Oniko - Know Your Meme