This is Olympic year. So I introduce Japan national team nicknames. Go for it, Nippon!
| Sports |
Nicknames |
Comments |
| Ski Jumping |
Hi no Maru Hiko-tai (Japanese Flying Corps) |
“Hi no Maru” means rising sun flag and “Hiko-tai” means flying corps. So foreigners call them “The Japanese Flying Corps”. It’s forerunner of Japan national team nickname. |
| Soccer (men) |
SAMURAI BLUE |
Blue is team color of Japan national football team. Some call their uniform “Japan Blue”. In not only football but also other sports, foreigners call them “Rising Sun” named after Japanese national flag. Some call them just “Daihyo” that means national team. |
| Soccer (women) |
Nadeshiko Japan |
It was determined by the public, named after “Yamato Nadeshiko” that means ideal Japanese woman. “Nadeshiko Japan” won the grand prize in the buzzwords contenst in Jpana in 2011. Their uniform is printed partly in pink that is color of Nadeshiko (dianthus). Japan Women’s Football League is called as “Nadeshiko League”. |
| U-20 Soccer (women) |
Young Nadeshiko |
U-20 (Under-Twenty) stands for players under 20. |
| U-17 Soccer (women) |
Little Nadeshiko |
U-17 (Under-Seventeen) stands for players under 17. |
| Baseball (men) |
SAMURAI JAPAN |
It was determined by Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) to avoid being called as “manager name + Japan”. |
| Baseball (women) |
Madonna Japan |
It is named after character “Madonna” from “Botchan” that is Japanese novel written by Natsume Soseki. “Team Energen” had been used under sponsorship deal with Otsuka Pharmaceutical. |
| Volleyball (men) |
Ryujin NIPPON |
“Ryujin” means dragon god. It was determined by the public. Some call them just “Zen Nippon” that means all Japan. |
| Volleyball (women) |
Hi no Tori NIPPON |
“Hi no Tori” means firebird. It was determined by the public. Some call them just “Zen Nippon” that means all Japan. In an era when Japan and Soviet had been fighting to win, they are called as “The Oriental Witches”. |
| Field Hockey (men) |
Samurai JAPAN |
It was determined by the public. |
| Field Hockey (women) |
Sakura JAPAN |
“Sakura” means cherry blossoms. It was determined by the public. Sakura is one of Japanese national flowers. Their uniform is decorated with sakura. |
| Sports |
Nicknames |
Comments |
| Handball (men) |
Musasabi Japan |
“Musasabi” means flying squirrel. |
| Handball (women) |
Rainbow Japan |
Rainbow has 7 colors in Japan, and handball team is 7 players. |
| Basketball (men / women |
Hayabusa Japan |
“Hayabusa” means peregrine falcon. It was determined by the public. |
| Swimming |
TOBIUO JAPAN |
“Tobiuo” means flying fish. It is named after “The Flying Fish of Fujiyama”. |
| Synchronized Swimming |
Mermaid Japan |
It had been used by TV Asahi, and was determined officially by Japan Swimming Federation. |
| Water Polo (men / women) |
Poseidon Japan |
Poseidon is god of sea in Greek mythology. |
| Rhythmic Gymnastics |
Fairy Japan |
They are also called as “Fairy Japan POLA”. POLA is official sponsor name. |
| Curling |
Crystal Japan |
Crystal is effort crystal shining like snow crystal. They had been called as “Curling Musume” named after Morning Musume and Country Musume. “Team Aomori” is not nickname but official team name. |
| Rowing |
Crew Japan |
Crew means team in rowing. |
| Rugby |
Cerry Blossoms / Brave Blossoms |
It is named after “Sakura no Jersey” that means the uniform of cherry blossoms. Their uniform has an emblem of Sakura (cherry blossoms) in the chest. Some call them just “Blossoms” or “Japan”. |
| Rugby Sevens |
SEVENS JAPAN |
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| Rugby League |
Samurais |
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| Australian Football |
Samurais |
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| University Baseball |
Waka-Musha Japan |
“Waka-Musha” means young warrior in old Japan. |
| Homeless Football |
No-Bushi Japan |
“No-Bushi” means lordless samurai. |
| Go (Igo) |
Chie no Wa Japan |
It was determined by the public, named after “Chie no Wa” that means puzzle links. It also means wisdom of Japan. |
Appendix: Japan top league names
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