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yamato nadeshiko
What does yamato nadeshiko mean?
An archetype embodying the classic feminine virtues of traditional Japan — gentle, modest, graceful, loyal and domestically accomplished.
"With her poise and grace, she's the very picture of a yamato nadeshiko."
Origin
Japanese 大和撫子, combining Yamato (old Japan) with nadeshiko, a delicate pink flower symbolising feminine beauty.
Frequently asked questions
What does yamato nadeshiko mean?
It's the idealised traditional Japanese woman — gentle, modest, graceful and loyal — held up as an archetype of classic feminine virtue.
Where does the phrase come from?
It combines Yamato, an old name for Japan, with nadeshiko, a delicate pink flower long used to symbolise feminine beauty.
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