Puro names

[Yoshimitsu]

I am just interested to know the definition of some of these puroresu terms. I understand a couple of them but am still not sure what they actually mean.

Gaijin

Noah (from Pro wrestling Noah)

Rikishi

[screwloose]

gaijin- japanese term literally translated to the english word alien. term for a foreigner.

noah- may be an allusion to the way misawa led wrestlers away from all japan. i really have no idea.

rikishi- haven't watched sumo in a while and hisa or anyone else is more than free to correct me on this, but i believe it is japanese for "wrestler" or something similar. i just know it is used in sumo to refer to the athletes.

[BENJII]

gaijin - name for a foreigner. Mike Lorifice claims it to be a dispariging name for a foreigner

NOAH - biblical reference to Misawa leading everyone away from something flooded. Flooded with gaijins? Subtle reference also?

Rikishi - I think it means warrior in Japanese. Don't quote me on that

[Infinit]

Regarding the name NOAH... their logo is an ARK...also how their major show are goofy sounding "water references" ex. "Accomplish our First Navigation", "Navigation of Raging Ocean", etc.

Infinit

[Ajpw-Batt]

I like the name Noah. I also like Noah's event names.

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

Originally posted by BENJII
Mike Lorifice claims it to be a dispariging name for a foreigner

Not always. "Gaijin" simply means foreigner, and that's what we simply use when we refer to the foreigners.

rikishi - sumo wrestler

[El Pollo Guerrera]

I know that the word "gaijin" translates litteraly as "foreigner", but I was under the impression that to call someone a "gaijin" was the worst possible insult in Japanese. I admit that I know very little about Japanese culture, but I read that family and a sense of belonging are very important, especially in a place as crowded as Japan. And if you don't belong, you're an "outsider"...

A culture's insults reflect the culture itself. In France, religion is (or was) important; therefore, french insults invoke religion (the french equivilent of the 'S' word is Mairde, which litteraly translates as Mother, refering to the Virgin Mary). In the United States, sex is important; therefore, American insults focus on sexual functions and deviancy.

Now, is it possible that "gaijin" was once the worst insult possible, and the passing of time and the invasion of American culture has dulled the word to it's current meaning?

Please correct me if I'm wrong... but be kind. I am, after all, a lowly "gaijin".

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

Sure, many people use it for a bad purpose, but it was never the worst insult. The term is used in the TV and magazines a lot, too. For example,

"More big name gaijin wrestlers added for next tour!!"

"The great gaijin we are yet to see."

"The first gaijin to hold this championship."

etc.