Oyaji

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In the Japanese language, oyaji (親父, おやじ, オヤジ?) is an informal word meaning "dad". It is a juvenile linguistic corruption of oyachichi (親父?)[citation needed], which means "father". The word, used to describe one's father, is very rough and not polite, and its use is usually confined to men. See also Gender differences in spoken Japanese. If the word san is added to the word to form oyaji-san, it becomes more polite.

Like other kinship terms, such as onee-san, literally meaning "older sister", but often used for a young woman, the word oyaji is often also used in Japan to refer to middle-aged men who are not relatives, usually in an unflattering way. For example, an oyaji gag (親父ギャグ?) is a stale pun of the type favoured by middle-aged men, and oyaji kusai (親父臭い?) means "middle-aged" or "unfashionable". Overweight dancer Papaya Suzuki formed a dancing group known as the Oyaji dancers.

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However, in Japanese art and character design, oyaji is a cultural ideal of masculine men who are old enough to be experienced fathers or grandfathers, or to at least seem like them. This takes the form of an aesthetic appeal and personal appeal, emphasizing matured looks and experienced behavior. All of these factors can actually make oyaji seem attractive and vigorous, qualities more often associated with youth than with age. Part of this may be because of the frequent association of oyaji with hard work, capable leadership, and well-borne longsufferings, not unlike the expectations a young child has for a father or grandfather figure.

The floor age for oyaji is typically in the 30s, but oyaji characters can be as young as their 20s if they still look the part — this is more likely if the man has more facial hair, body hair, body mass, and smoking a cigarette. Older male characters don't as often need these things to look like oyaji.

Capitalizing on the already venerable nature of oyaji as experienced role models, much (though not all) popular oyaji actually emphasizes the often humorous quirks and faux pas of oyaji behavior, which would be considered flaws by some, and endearments by others, such as the "old fart" paradigm or perverted yet ultimately harmless behavior in many Japanese comedies.

Sometimes this is elevated to a sex symbol or even a fetish, not entirely unlike the rustic appeal of Sean Connery or Nick Nolte in the Western world.

[edit] Oyaji in Japanese popular fiction

The following is a brief list of noteworthy oyaji in Japanese popular fiction, known for their distinctive seasoned personality and their idealized or exaggerated mature looks.

[edit] Oyaji on the Internet

Some Japanese artists on the Internet draw oyaji to emphasize beauty, virility or humor, and post artworks on their websites. This is a brief list of websites that feature oyaji art. Some sites may contain sexual themes.

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