The Bachido Contest! - New subtitle!

General
#21

Personally, I still like “International Shamisen Society,” since it’s simple, speaks to the majority of what goes on here, and frankly, has a nice ring to it, but if we have to change…

“International Hogaku Community” actually sounds pretty good, I think. I’m nitpicking a little, but I’d go for the spelling “hogaku” over “hougaku,” since although “hougaku” is more accurate, “hogaku” is more in line with English spelling conventions. (Ex: “Tokyo” vs. “Toukyou,” “Kyoto” vs. “Kyouto,” heck, “Bachido” vs. “Bachidou.”)

There are two potential problems with “hogaku,” though. First, how do you define “hogaku”? Is it “traditional Japanese music,” or just “music played with traditional Japanese instruments”? Is some of the more fusion-y stuff we have going on here hogaku, or is it something else? Second, the subtitle “International Hogaku Community” may speak to what we do here, but then the main title “Bachido” doesn’t! After all, the “bachi” refers to shamisen focus here, right? (Unless we’re talking about taiko, but I mean, pffft, come on. Who’s talking about taiko? Am I right, guys? high five!) Are we going to change the main name too?

#22

Jamie has a point. Afterall, I’m assuming Bachido means way of the Bachi. Although, I will say this. Keeping the name Bachido is a symbol of how this community began. It is a core meaning to what we started with and it defines us. I wouldn’t change Bachido for anything if I had a say. But, if that is how you feel as well Kyle, then be sure to let it be known why, exactly, we call it Bachido.

Ah, and well met Jamie. I’m new to the forums here, but I’ve been visiting for a looong time.

#23

First, how do you define “hogaku”? Is it “traditional Japanese music,” or just “music played with traditional Japanese instruments”

Good point! I realize that hougaku/hogaku is the wrong word. 和楽器 Waggaki/Wagaki is the more appropriate word, as that describes Japanese instruments, whereas hogaku is more for the traditional styles of music. Of course, I do like the way ‘hogaku’ rolls off the tongue more than ‘wagaki’, but whaddayagonnado?

To clarify, Bachido will stay! There is no way I’m changing a title as badass as that. :wink:

Also, though the symbol is three bachi, which indicates shamisen, the feeling of that symbol will evolve from just shamisen to the “bachido way.” Though the name/image if the Bachido title/mon are outwardly shamisen being, it’ll be just as TJ said, " Bachido is a symbol of how this community began. It is a core meaning to what we started with and it defines us." It has become a symbol of community in this musical world more than just of a three stringed instrument. Something I never dreamed would happen.

So, reminding why this is all happening anyway:

Some members have an interest in shakuhachi, which I think would be great if Papa Abbott could make a crash course to help them.

Also, Masahiro wants to include taiko drums.

I can’t bring myself to say, “there’s no place for shakuhachi/taiko/etc in Bachido because it’s not shamisen” because holding back such education is not the Bachido way. :slight_smile:

On the other hand, If the site remains as it is, a potentially awesome shakuhachi crash course and taiko drum stuff will be hidden away in some page. Just like in the Toneway store (which focuses on American mountain music), Shamisen of Japan and Blowing Zen are placed at the end under the title “And now, for something completely different…”

Basically, if I am gonna put time/energy/money into developing a shakuhachi crash course (which I want to do), I don’t want it be under a title which says, “And now, for something completely different…” or “You may find this interesting”.

Rather, I’d like Bachido to be set up so these other great Japanese instruments and their enthusiasts can find a home here.

Also, I assure you that with my brother Luke’s talent in design/placement, these other instruments included won’t interfere/dilute the experience you have here. In fact, you will probably find it more enriching! :slight_smile:

Finally! This will not be happening over night. Rather, just changing the subtitle will set the foundation to allow for what can build up over the coming years.

#24

With that,

Bachido
International Waggaki Community

(yech, I actually really don’t like the sound of waggaki)

#25

Brotherhood sounds like it’ll involve sacrificial rites :stuck_out_tongue: Waggaki reminds me of Wakka from FFX. Still thinking of a good name. I think we need it all in English.

#26

Bachido - I like pie

Ill get back to this one later lol

#27

Bachido - what life should be.

Bachido - sound the world

Bachido - Traditional Japanese music gone international

Bachido - Spirit, Community, Japan

#28

My only suggestion is to stick to words that are recognizable to most people. In other words many people might like Japanese culture and music but might have no clue what “hougaku " or " waggaki” mean. So it might just cause them to pass on it when in reality it’s something they are interested in. Sorry …someone might have already said this (it’s middle of the night and I didn’t actually read all the previous posts)

#29

Yeah, I hear you, Kevin. I guess “shamisen” is a little more well known than “hogaku,” but they’re still both pretty obscure. Come to think of it, “hogaku” and “wagakki” are almost pretentiously opaque, since they both have English translations, unlike “shamisen.” I mean, they’re certainly less wordy than “traditional Japanese music” or “traditional Japanese instrument,” but they are opaque unless you speak Japanese or are familiar with the subject matter.

Um… stick with IHC cuz it sounds nice and hope that potential members are persistent enough in their research to find us or that we popularize the “hogaku” enough that it becomes a household term?

#30

I like the original ISS. I dont think it sounds too stiff.
But maybe something like- Far East Music Association or something like that? I think most people can still find that accessible and it covers a broad range.

Or Far East Music something, if that’s not an overtly West-centric viewpoint.

#31

Norm: Ah! There’s a point! Japan should be somewhere in the subtitle if it’s to be set in the potential vagueness of “mood-capturing”. That way, if hogaku isn’t used, Japan at least give some general idea that Bachido is at least based around Japanese instruments.

…
And after ten minutes of thinking of something poetic…
…

Sharing String of Japan

Damn this is hard. I’m inclined to go with International Hogaku* Community, or Global Hogaku Community.

*as it must be something other than shamisen - keywords will bring shamisen-interested people to the site anyway.

#32

Here is my entry:
Shami Tomo Society (三味友ソサエティー)

Shami — as is already familiar to you, Shamisen
Tomo (友) ----- short form of Tomodachi, and still is enough to mean friend for Japanese.
We Japanese understand what a society(sosaetea. ソサエティー)is.

Shami Tomo also sounds like (Meru Tomo),which is a short for e mail friend.
Btw, Shami Tomo 三味友 looks and sounds like Japanese big enterprise Sumitomo 住友 and some people may mistakenly enter this site. It is no problem that mistake leads one into happy music world.

#33

I’m inclined to go with International Hogaku* Community, or Global Hogaku Community.

GHC. Bam. You got it. You already use the words “global community” on the homepage to refer to the forums anyway, so it works for simplicity’s sake.

#34

Global Nihonjin Ongaku Soceity

#35

The Circle of Nihonjin Gakki

#36

I like International Shamisen Society and it would be sort of sad to drop that name . . . come to think of it I would also like the sounds of International Taiko Society or International Shakuhachi Society and wonder whether Bachido could be an umbrella for all of those societies . . . ?

after all there is a serious and sincere effort in this to be a good source of authentic and interesting information and usable advice so in case society sounds serious enough to hint at that I find that suitable (also for the store) and am still thinking who says a society cannot be a friendly one . . . ?

anyway as for similar taglines I also favor International Hogaku Community even though I was not familiar with that term . . . :slight_smile:

International Japanese Instruments Brotherhood and Babes?

(when I read International Hougaku Brotherhood I thought International Hougaku Babes would sound better but I realize it would have the same gender excluding problem)

#37

global or international I think both would be fine . . . :slight_smile:

#38

this is harder than i thought . . .

World Wagaki Community

aaand brain gone blank now -__-

#39

I think “Bachido - Japanese Instruments Community”

#40

this is harder than i thought …

Indeed, Amanda! :slight_smile:

Come to think of it I would also like the sounds of International Taiko Society or International Shakuhachi Society and wonder whether Bachido could be an umbrella for all of those societies … ?

Indeed, Bernhard! :slight_smile: That is the challenge. :slight_smile:

Here’s something I’ve realized (and perhaps someone may have already mentioned but I missed). As we know, one of the goals was to try to convey the “feeling” of bachido into a short, catchy phrase.

However, I’ve just realized that everyone’s mindset is different and will have a different feeling when they look upon Bachido. Some may see that it is a open environment where ideas are shared, others will think of it as a place to preserve/carry on the instruments of Japan, and others may see something completely different.

Bottom line: Trying to pin down a particular thought to describe something limits all other interpretations. As it’s said in the Tao Te Ching, “The name that can be named in not the constant name, the way that can be spoken of is not the constant way.” I identify with this phrase, and so upon reconsideration, let’s not “name our way”, as it were. :wink:

However, since we still need to change the subtitle for the inclusion of other Japanese instruments, that will be the focus. :slight_smile:

And with that, here are some mockups!

Keep ‘em comin’!

© 2020 Kyle Abbott