Shenmue Dojo

I've written a small post about an extremely subtle translation point taken from the opening cut-scene of Shenmue.

It looks at why Iwao's reply to the above words from Lan Di would be closer to the original Japanese meaning as this:


Not a big difference really, but looking at the Japanese helps to clarify the intended nuance behind his words.

Analysis here:
http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2016/1 ... e-you.html

Some great points and theories. I agree, Iwao had clearly made preparations (even for the case of his own death) in case someone turned up to try to take the mirror(s). His shock at discovering that the violent member of the Chi You Men in front of him is actually Zhao's son would match his spoken reaction perfectly.

It's also interesting that after Ryo finds the letter in Iwao's room he wonders to himself whether his father had guessed that Lan Di would be turning up - but whether this was as "Zhao's son" or as a member of the Chi You Men is another question.

How old was Lan Di when his father died? Had Iwao met him by that point? I assume he doesn't closely resemble Sunming Zhao, seeing as Iwao didn't recognize him until the name was brought up.

Mr357 wrote: How old was Lan Di when his father died? Had Iwao met him by that point? I assume he doesn't closely resemble Sunming Zhao, seeing as Iwao didn't recognize him until the name was brought up.

As far as I can work it out, Lan Di probably would have been around 11 years old at that time, assuming Sunming Zhao died at the time Iwao visited China "around 20 years ago" (as mentioned by the street musician Kai who was a friend of Iwao). If that's the case Iwao may have met Lan Di at that time but it seems reasonable to think he might not recognize him 20 years later.

Switch wrote:

Mr357 wrote: How old was Lan Di when his father died? Had Iwao met him by that point? I assume he doesn't closely resemble Sunming Zhao, seeing as Iwao didn't recognize him until the name was brought up.

As far as I can work it out, Lan Di probably would have been around 11 years old at that time, assuming Sunming Zhao died at the time Iwao visited China "around 20 years ago" (as mentioned by the street musician Kai who was a friend of Iwao). If that's the case Iwao may have met Lan Di at that time but it seems reasonable to think he might not recognize him 20 years later.

I always assumed Iwao visited China when he was around the same age as Ryo, which would have been approximately 1958-1960 (putting Lan Di at three to five years old), but with the added context by Kai, he must have been a few years older (unless there was some kind of translation error and the "around twenty years ago" was more along the lines of "more" instead of "around"?).

Even if Iwao didn't recognise Lan Di by physical appearance, the fact Lan Di brings up the name of his father must have triggered something in Iwao's memory to put two and two together.

ShenGCH wrote:I always assumed Iwao visited China when he was around the same age as Ryo, which would have been approximately 1958-1960 (putting Lan Di at three to five years old), but with the added context by Kai, he must have been a few years older (unless there was some kind of translation error and the "around twenty years ago" was more along the lines of "more" instead of "around"?).

A difference in translation is always a possibility! I checked and Kai does say "around 20 years" in the Japanese as well.