Help/Advice: Japanese-Esque Names

[the_wolfs_howl]

So...I have this story, where all the character names sound Japanese. Examples: Sokichi, Kanjo, Ataki. But then, after reading a tutorial for creating original characters (in which it said that using Japanese-sounding names is lame), I was worried that maybe having names like that is stupid. The main problem with this is that the characters have had those names for so long, I don't think they can be anyone else! DX What do you think? Is it okay to have Japanese-sounding names in a story, or not? The culture of the people isn't really that Oriental; it's more of a typical European fantasy type of setting. The main reason they have these Japanese-ish names is because they were oppressed by this foreign race, who forced them to take on such names.

[Esoteric]

Was the foreign race Oriental? Having Japanese-sounding names isn't lame at all, as long as there's a reason for it.
That guy was probably just speaking out against novice writers who, loving anime, give their obviously 'western' characters Japanese names. In those cases, it can come off as a little silly sometimes. But again, it was just his opinion. I say if you have a logical reason defined in the story, it's fine.

But, if it's still of concern, you could change the names ever so slightly (example Ataki = Ataks. Sokichi = Sokech). I realize it can be hard to change names when you've become attached to them, but you do eventually get used to the changed. I've had to do it a few times.

[ShiroiHikari]

I realize it can be hard to change names when you've become attached to them, but you do eventually get used to the changed. I've had to do it a few times.

Indeed. I've had to change names too, and I hated it at first but now I like the new names better.

Anyway, if it's a fantasy setting, I don't see a problem with them having Japanese-like names. If you don't want the names to be actual Japanese names, you could try taking Japanese syllables and mixing them around to get your own names. Just a thought. :3

[Kaligraphic]

If it makes sense in the setting, Japanese names are fine. If it doesn't, it's silly. A good rule of thumb is that Japanese people have Japanese names, German people have German names, Indian people have Indian names, and so on. It's weird if you have a bunch of Germans with Japanese names. A lot of anime fans will just use Japanese names because of their infatuation with anime. As a consequence, it is often better to use non-Japanese names, so you don't get lumped in with that crowd. Of course, there's no problem if the story actually takes place in Japan.

[LadyRushia]

If there's a reason for it, then it should be fine; and if it's a fantasy story you should be able to use any names you want, especially if you're making up your own cultures. I know some of my characters have Japanese sounding names, but they almost sound non-Japanese. I think it only becomes a problem when people are like, "o hay ill hav mai merican character version of me hav japanese name lollolololol." It's only a problem if your story takes place in the real world and the names are like that for no reason.

[EricTheFred]

If this is a completely fictional world you are setting, then I have a good resolution for you. Keep the names, but come up with alternative spellings.

The names you gave were Sokichi, Kanjo, Ataki.

You could latinize the spelling more, something like Cioquiche, Canzio, Ataqui. Changing only one common letter gives Socichi, Canjo, Ataci. I'm reasonably certain, for example, that CJ Cherryh, in her 'Foreigner' series, based the alien names on Japanese phonemes but used a different spelling system.

Don't get too caught up with this problem, though. Internal consistency is far more important than avoiding imitation. In the 'Helmsman' series, Bill Baldwin had the cast-iron guts to base his bear-like aliens directly on Russians and their names, and it was fine. A little tongue-in-cheek, but fine.

[the_wolfs_howl]

Thanks, everybody, for all the input!

Yes, the world of this story is fictional (I guess I should've said that). In ages long past, this other culture came to the land the story centers on, and subjugated its people, forcing them to take on different names, among other things. The native people aren't subjugated anymore, but it's been so long that they've forgotten they used to have any other kind of name. Does that sound plausible? Stupid? So-so?

[LadyRushia]

It's fine. If that's the way your story goes, then don't worry about the names.

[Esoteric]

Such a thing is not uncommon. The dominant language is often one of the primary things which changes after a conquest. Mongolians now primarily speak Russian because of the Cold War.
The extent to which change is enforced on a subjugated people depends on the intentions of the conqueror. If the aim is to integrate their subjects into a cohesive, unified empire (e.g. the Romans), then yes, cultural conformity is emphasized. If however, if the goal is more in line with extortion (Hebrews in ancient Egypt), then the rulers would hardly care so long as they were obeyed. In fact, they'd probably prefer to keep certain cultural privileges from the 'second class' citizens.
Once again, it all boils down to the individual situation. But does the idea itself seem plausible? Sure. My only caution: unless the change in culture is relevant to the story, it shouldn't be given much attention.
What I mean is, if they do not know their prior culture and never learn about it during the story...why really bother with it? However, if it is intended as an important or central factor in the story, then great, talk about it all you want.
Make sense?

[the_wolfs_howl]

Thanks! You've been a great help! ^_^