あかん／Akan (No good)

Akan is short for “Rachi-ga-akanu (This isn’t going anywhere)”. When something is not going well or is no good, you can use this word in expressions like “Mo-akan-wa (I can’t go on any longer)” or “Sore-wa-akan-de (That’s no good)”. You can use it in a more respectful manner by changing the ending of the sentence, to “Akimasen” or “Akimahen”.

An example of “Akan” in the entertainment world is the period when laughter was restricted by the government and the military authorities. At that time, inclusion in programs of any anti-establishment words or thoughts was strictly checked. Before a stage performance was delivered, its script had to be submitted and only performances that had been approved were allowed to be actually delivered, with police officers keeping an eye on performances in seats provided for superintendents in storytellers’ theaters.

Entertainment scripts marked with a “censored” stamp are exhibited here. These examples show that censorship was enforced across Japan.