What's in a name

[Roland Domenig]

> First up, why is EMBRACING's original title "Ni tsutsumarete".
> Isn't this the verb "tsutsumu" (to wrap, veil) with the particle marker stuck
> in front, rather than behind? Any particular reason for this word play, if it
> is indeed word play?
this is not a wordplay, but the passive form of tsutsumu (wrap/conceil) =
tsutsumareru. "Ni tsutsumarerte" thus is "to be wrapped up in" "be conceiled
in"  "be enveloped by".

> And why is the second documentary title, about her grandmother, mispelt as
> KATATSUMORI as opposed to KATATSUMURI? (I assume she's talking about snails)
this indeed is a wordplay with katatsumuri (snail) and tsumori (intend).
when she was young naomi believed that slugs are snails  without a house but
that intend to have one (ie o motta tsumori).

but speaking of titles. does anyone know why the english title of koreeda's
WANDAFURU RAIFU was changed into AFTER LIFE?


roland domenig
institute of east asian studies
vienna university