There is Manila, and then there is 馬尼刺

[tomp]

I am familiar with the katakana name for Manila マニラ, but just stumbled upon the kanji name: 馬尼刺. Out of curiosity, does anyone know why that particular combination of kanji was used? The last kanji, 刺, seems unusual. I am not readily seeing a "ra" reading for it. Any insights greatly appreciated, thanks!

Tom

[Nick Komiya]

Note that the last Kanji is 剌, not 刺. That Kanji has an On-reading of "Ra". That single Kanji is also used as a shortened form for Arabia.

Here's the list of country names in Kanji

As above for cities of the world

Hollywood was written as 聖林

[tomp]

Thanks for the info., Nick, much appreciated! Didn't see that coming.


Tom

[ghp95134]

Here's one not on the list:
西比利亜

I'm sure Tom will be able to sound that one out!!! (^__^)

Nick is proscribed from telling!!

-- Guy

[ghp95134]

Hmmmm ... 満州国 is not on the list, either.

Nick, is there a wiki-like page similar to what you shared, but has the pre-1945 ateji for foreign countries?

Thanks,
-- Guy