Hiden

English translation: secret or hidden teaching

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Japanese term or phrase:秘伝
English translation:secret or hidden teaching
Entered by: conejo

23:40 Jul 17, 2008
Japanese to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Music
Japanese term or phrase: Hiden
This is from a paper about comparing folk songs across cultures. It was translated originally from Japanese, but I only have the English translated document to look at.

But unlike the Western cultures, which are organized horizontally, Japanese culture has a vertical structure. With regard to studies of development and change in Japanese music, the musical traditions exist independently of one another, each passing down its own repertoire from generation to generation with very little exchange between other traditions (i.e. iemoto system, hiden, kuchi utsushi).

1. What are the Japanese characters for "hiden"?
2. And what is a brief English explanation for "hiden" in this context?
conejo
United States
Local time: 02:24
secret or hidden teaching
Explanation:
秘 is 'secret' or 'hidden'. 伝 is 'transmission'. This usually refers to hidden or so-called "secret" knowledge, knowledge that is not written down, not divulged to outsiders and is usually transmitted in an oral fashion only. This term specifically refers to special teachings or techniques (or the application and use of such techniques) within the context of a particular Japanese discipline, whether it be samisen playing, martial arts or ikebana. Most frequently I see it used when referring to various higher level martial arts techniques. Such techniques are usually only divulged after the disciple (whatever their discipline may be) has reach a certain (usually relatively advanced) level of proficiency within their chosen discipline. The typical method of transmission is directly from the teacher to the student and this can include both verbal instruction and, sometimes, demonstration of the actual techniques. This is the meaning of "hiden". HTH.
Selected response from:

Will Matter
United States
Local time: 00:24
Grading comment
Thanks.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +2secret or hidden teaching
Will Matter
5 +1secret transmission
Geraldine Oudin
3 +1秘伝 - secret, mystery
Luciano Eduardo de Oliveira
2 +1esotericism
cinefil


  

Answers


22 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
秘伝 - secret, mystery


Explanation:
I can't help you further.


    Reference: http://dic.yahoo.co.jp/dsearch?enc=UTF-8&p=%E7%A7%98%E4%BC%9...
Luciano Eduardo de Oliveira
Brazil
Native speaker of: Native in PortuguesePortuguese
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  AniseK: I think るろうに剣心describes 秘伝very well:-) A secret teaching that is passed down from generation to generation, something like that.
1 hr
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +2
secret or hidden teaching


Language variant: secret transmission (often done orally)

Explanation:
秘 is 'secret' or 'hidden'. 伝 is 'transmission'. This usually refers to hidden or so-called "secret" knowledge, knowledge that is not written down, not divulged to outsiders and is usually transmitted in an oral fashion only. This term specifically refers to special teachings or techniques (or the application and use of such techniques) within the context of a particular Japanese discipline, whether it be samisen playing, martial arts or ikebana. Most frequently I see it used when referring to various higher level martial arts techniques. Such techniques are usually only divulged after the disciple (whatever their discipline may be) has reach a certain (usually relatively advanced) level of proficiency within their chosen discipline. The typical method of transmission is directly from the teacher to the student and this can include both verbal instruction and, sometimes, demonstration of the actual techniques. This is the meaning of "hiden". HTH.

Will Matter
United States
Local time: 00:24
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thanks.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Steven Smith: Good explanation
6 hrs
  -> Thank you very much. Interesting stuff, huh?

agree  RieM: I'm a big fan of 池波正太郎, and one of his novels is titled "秘伝の声". You are correct on both accounts // "semi-intelligent answer" - that's an expression of sincere humility. I can see you've been practicing martial arts. まいりました。
15 hrs
  -> Thank you very much. It seems that studying Japanese history, culture, language and martial arts for 25+ years occasionally pays off. :0) Once in awhile I get the chance to offer a semi-intelligent answer.
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3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5 peer agreement (net): +1
esotericism


Explanation:
an alternative

http://faroutliers.blogspot.com/search?q=esotericism


cinefil
Japan
Local time: 16:24
Native speaker of: Native in JapaneseJapanese
PRO pts in category: 16

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Kendriya .: Also - 秘伝の - "mystic", "occult"
8 hrs
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4 days   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
secret transmission


Explanation:
definitely "secret transmission", often found in anthropology materials related to oral transmission of folk songs, or songs believed to have healing properties for example.

Geraldine Oudin
United Kingdom
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Will Matter: I agree. Welcome to ProZ. / De rien, doo itashimashite. ;0)
4 hrs
  -> thanx!
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