The witch world really has a lot of depth. Even the main exhibition, which has a good reputation for being chalk full of information couldn’t contain everything. So, please join our special lectures to learn more about witches.
I myself joined a lecture the other day. The theme of the lecture was, “The witch’s way of living that can change you for the better”. The lecture was given by Professor Nishimura.
I learned a lot about Germany’s witches, which is what professor Nishimura specializes in.
The Japanese word for witch is“魔女 Majo,” and always implies the witch is a woman. However, the German word for witch, “Hexe” is not always so. As a matter of fact, many men were also judged in the famous witch trials.
So why is it that the Japanese translation of Hexe is limited to women?
The first translations of German literatures introduced to Japan were limited to stories of female witches. So, there was no problem translating it to “Majo”, female witch.
It came to be a general translation that represented witches in general.
Did you know witches are not always riding around on brooms? In fact, German witches ride on male goats.
©Mittelalterliches Kriminalmuseum in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Just because you became a witch doesn’t mean you can fly instantly. There is a lot of effort required for them to be able to do so.
What kind of efforts? Please come and find out at the Secret Witch exhibition!
posted by Takamura (Press offficer)
