Here are more steps for what I believe fanfiction authors should know when writing a story set in Japan or using a Japanese theme.
When using transportation between cities, it's good to know the routes that certain expressways, railways (including the Shinkansen bullet train), or (especially for foreign cities) airlines take.
The Japanese currency is the yen (¥/円). Generally one U.S. dollar is equal to about 100 Japanese yen.
A basic knowledge of Japanese history is also a plus, whether it be from the Edo period (1603-1868), or maybe some of the more modern eras.
It's also good to have a knowledge of Japanese honorifics, which, when used, are always placed AFTER a name. Here are some of the more common honorifics...
- San (さん), the most common honorific, mainly used as a title similar to "Mr.", "Miss", "Mrs.", or "Ms.". Sometimes, in the Kyoto area, it's pronounced "Han" (はん).
- Kun (君/くん), used by persons of senior status in addressing or referring to those of junior status, or by anyone when addressing or referring to male children or male teenagers.
- Chan (ちゃん), mainly for babies, young children, and teenage girls. It may also be used towards cute animals, lovers, and close friends.
- Sempai (先輩), used to address or refer to one's senior colleagues in a school, company, sports club, or other group. The term Kōhai (後輩) is the opposite of sempai, referring to junior, but is rarely used as an honorific.
- Sensei (先生), used to refer to or address teachers, doctors, politicians, and other authority figures. In martial arts, the sensei typically refers to the title of a dojo.
- Sama (様), a more respectful version of "San".
- Dono/Tono (殿), when attached to a name, it roughly means "lord" or "master," equivalent to "milord" or French "monseigneur."
I'll post some more steps later.
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