World Football Club Crests Profile picture
Nov 5, 2019 22 tweets 21 min read Read on X
Japanese football club names, a thread.

So I noticed that some Japanese clubs have foreign words in their names. It made me delve deeper into the subject and the fact is that it is a profound tradition. In this thread I will explain how and why regarding several clubs.

1/20
Kashima Antlers,
English influences.

The word Antlers comes from the city name, Kashima, which actually means "deer island".

2/20

#jleague #badges #footballbadges #Japan @atlrs_official
Urawa Red Diamonds.
English influences.

The Red Diamonds refers to the club's parent company Mitsubishi. The car manufacturer's logo consists of three red diamonds, and one of them remains within the current club crest.

3/20

#jleague #badges #urawareds @REDSOFFICIAL
Kawasaki Frontale,
Italian influences.

"Frontale" is Italian and, hardly surprising, translates into "frontal". If you recognize the colors that's because they are inspired by Brazilian outfit Grêmio.

4/20

#jleague #badges #frontale #Kawasaki #Gremio @frontale_staff
Yokohama F. Marinos,
Spanish and German influences.

As a port city the sea is of importance for Yokohama. "Marinos" means "sailors" in Spanish. However, the letter "F" stands for "Flügels" which is a take on the German word for wings. A rest from the club merger in 1999.

5/20
Júbilo Iwata,
Portuguese influences.

A fairly simple explanation since Júbilo means 'joy' in Portuguese. Just happy football from Iwata, really.

6/20

#jleague #badges @Jubiloiwata_YFC
Shimizu S-Pulse,
English influences.

The rather odd "S-Pulse" is a combination of the "S" from Shizuoka and Shimizu as well as the words supporter and soccer. Whilst Pulse is meant to symbolize the spirit of all the supporters.

7/20

#jleague #badges @spulse_eng
Nagoya Grampus Eight,
English influences.

Arsène Wenger's former team. The name was created from the two most important symbols of Nagoya: the golden grampus dolphins on the top of Nagoya Castle, and the Maru-Hachi (Circle eight).

8/20

#jleague #badges #NAGOYA
@nge_official
Gamba Osaka,
Italian influences.

Gamba is Italian and means "leg". While the Japanese word ganbaru translates into "to do your best" or "to stand firm". Word play.

9/20

#jleague #badges #GAMBAOSAKA @GAMBA_OFFICIAL
Cerezo Osaka,
Spanish influences.

Cerezo is Spanish for cherry tree which is also the flower of Osaka city. Delicately portrayed in the club badge.

10/20

#jleague #badges #cerezo @crz_official
Vissel Kobe,
English influences.

Vissel is a combination of the words victory and vessel. The latter inspired by Kobe's role as a port city. The former crest also Illustrated a vessel at sea.

11/20

#jleague #badges #visselkobe @visselkobe
Sanfrecce Hiroshima,
Italian influences.

Sanfrecce is a portmanteau of the Japanese word for three (san) and frecce (Italian for arrows). Based upon a feudal legend. Hence the three arrows in the crest.

12/20

#jleague #badges #sanfrecce
@sanfrecce_SFC
Albirex Niigata,
Latin influences.

The name is a combination of the star Albireo from the constellation Cygnus (the swan) and the Latin word for king (Rex).

13/20

#jleague #badges #albirex @albirex_pr
Fagiano Okayama,
Italian influences.

Fagiano means "pheasant" in Italian and it is a reference to the bird that was a compatriot of local legend Momotarō.

14/20

#jleague #badges
Kyoto Sanga,
Sanskrit influences.

"Sanga" comes from Sanskrit scripture and means "group" or "club". It is often used in the Buddhist priesthood, which associates the club with Kyoto's Buddhist traditions.

15/20

#jleague #badges @sangafc #sangafc
Mito HollyHock,
English influences.

"HollyHock" derives from the family crest of the Tokugawa clan who were active in Mito. It May sound funny but hollyhock is actually a flower.

16/20

#jleague #badges #hollyhock @hollyhock_staff
Omiya Ardija,
Spanish influences.

"Ardija" is a transcription of the Spanish word for squirrel (ardilla). The fuzzy little animal is the mascot of Omiya and the park in which their home stadium is located.

17/20

#jleague #badges @Ardija_Official
V-Varen Nagasaki,
Portuguese and Dutch influences.

The letter "V" stands for the Portuguese word vitória (victory) as well as Dutch vrede (peace). Varen is also Dutch for "to sail". Nagasaki is a port of historic importance to Portuguese and Dutch traders.

18/20

@v_varenstaff
Ventforet Kofu,
French influences.

"Ventforet" is a combination of the two French words "vent" (wind) and "forêt" (forest). The name is inspired by a famous japanese phrase Fū-rin-ka-zan.

19/20

#jleague #badges #vfk @vfk_official
Tokyo Verdy,
Portuguese and Italian influences.

Verdy is a transcription of the Portuguese and Italian word for green (verde). Named after their green jersey.

20/20

#jleague #badges #tokyoverdy #verdy @TokyoVerdySTAFF
A thread for football linguist @tomwfootball I imagine.
Perhaps of interest for @JLeagueShirts

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More from @WorldClubCrests

May 15, 2023
Thought I would go through football crests with buildings, part of buildings or other architectual structures within them.

Let's start with Everton and what looks like a true fairy tale castle. Rupert's tower. A disappointment compared to the crest.

🧵 A thread.

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🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Liverpool

On to their fierce and local rivals Liverpool. At the top of their crest adorned with the Shankly Gates.

2/21 ImageImage
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Crystal Palace
Is showcasing the original Crystal Palace which was seen in London until it burned down.

3/21 ImageImageImage
Read 21 tweets

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