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