Difference between 家 vs 派 vs 一門 vs 親族 ?

[kaigunair]

I initially posted this in the translation section. Cabowen gave a great response, but just wanted to see if there was some consensus before I go and change everything:

 

Original Question:

While trying to complete the index translations of Toso Kodogu Koza, I keep running into these kanji which I'm not sure how to translate properly. Any like clarification on these different terms for school, sect, family, branch etc and which is the correct tnaslation would be much appreciated.

 

Here are some of kanji I have questions about, and how I am currently translating them:

(派): 横谷一派 – Yokoya School

(門人): 横谷派の門人 – Yokoya School Disciples

(一派): 義胤と義則一派 – Yoshitane and Yoshinori Sect

(家): 佐野家 – Sano School

(一門): 一宮一門 – Ichinomiya Sects

(一族): 大月家一族 – Otsuki School Household

 

Not sure if I should be using group vs branches vs school vs sect vs household.

 

 

From Cabowen:

(派): school

(門人): pupil/student

(一派): school

(家): family/house

(一門): group

(一族): family/house

 

Thanks in advance.

[John A Stuart]

派 [ha] faction, group, school

門人 [monjin] pupil, student, follower

一派 [itpa] a school, sect or party

家 [ke] house, family

一門 [ichimon] household, kin, clan, family, dependents

一族 [ichizoku] family, relatives, household, dependents

 

It is correct and Chris'll not steer you wrong. John

[kaigunair]

Hi John,

 

Thanks for the response. Those results are similar to the translation software I'm using. Problem is, many of the english translations are identical for different kanji, which begs the question why the same character wasn't used in the original Japanese text if it means the same thing. I want to make sure I'm using the best English word in the context of Togosu schools, so any help on the standard diction or translations is what I'm hoping for.

 

After a few days if there are no new revelations, I'll go ahead and make the changes per Mr. Bowen's suggestions...

[John A Stuart]

I think I know what you mean, sort of how most languages have synonymns that mean the same thing, but, what is most correct in the cases specific to tosougu? I would tend to previous translations of the terms. I leave it to a Japanese linguist to give a more educated answer. John

[cabowen]

There are often subtle nuances in Japanese regarding the teacher/student/family relationships that aren't always conveyed in a simple word to word translation. This is often why two different kanji may give roughly the same English translation but imply, directly or indirectly, in Japanese, a nuanced difference.