Japanese term
玉の眼
I've found this magic formula in a cartoon, and I was wondering about the meaning of 玉の眼. The caster is asking some ancient gods to lend her their power.
その御手を... その玉の眼をまたたきの間、お貸しください
(Please lend me your hands and your jewel eyes for the batting of an eyelid.)
Is "jewel eyes" (eyes of gem) a correct translation in your opinion? There's no further context, alas.
Thank you so much!
4 | noble / precious eyes | Charles R. |
3 | jewel-like eyes | Sakshi Garg |
Apr 7, 2023 19:32: ZT-Translations changed "Level" from "Non-PRO" to "PRO"
PRO (3): David Gibney, Charles R., ZT-Translations
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Proposed translations
noble / precious eyes
I'm pretty sure that it is just intended as a more solemn and respectful way to say "eye" and I would translate it in something like "noble eyes" or "precious eyes" to be on the safe side. "Jade eyes" could be an option if you can find some confirmation in the context**.
眼玉 is 'eyeball' or simply 'eye' (same as 目玉).
御手 is a solemn way to say 'hand'.
Not something anybody would say in everyday life. A magic spell has to be solemn and magniloquent. A bit mysterious too.
** 玉 used to refer to 'jade' in ancient times (now it's ヒスイ) and can be used for 'gem', 'precious stone'.
ヒスイ(翡翠、英: jade、ジェイド)は、深緑の半透明な宝石の一つ。東洋(中国)や中南米(アステカ文明)では古くから人気が高い宝石であり、金以上に珍重された。古くは玉(ぎょく)と呼ばれた。
Discussion
The best and the easiest way to understand 玉 here is to think it's a prefix of 眼 to express the beautiful eyes or to honor the noble eyes. I choose "noble" or "precious" since the speaker also says 御手 in the context.
眼玉 is 'eyeball' or simply 'eye' (same as 目玉).
御手 is a solemn way to say 'hand'.
玉 used to refer to 'jade' in ancient times (now it's ヒスイ) and can be used for 'gem', 'precious stone'.
ヒスイ(翡翠、英: jade、ジェイド)は、深緑の半透明な宝石の一つ。東洋(中国)や中南米(アステカ文明)では古くから人気が高い宝石であり、金以上に珍重された。古くは玉(ぎょく)と呼ばれた。
Not something anybody would say in everyday life. A magic spell has to be solemn and magniloquent. A bit mysterious too.