Any Japanese speaking/reading/writing people in the house?

I’m trying to write “Bear Bonsai” I’ve got this from google translate but want to check it

ク
マ
盆
栽

Does it matter the type of bear? Or is bear just bear in Japanese?

That does say "bear bonsai" (Kuma Bonsai)
I think there's only one main type of bear in mainland Japan.
Is there a reason why you want "bear" written in katakana rather than kanji or hiragana?
What's this actually for?

I’m getting a stamp made to impress a logo on pots I’m making. Not what the difference is between katakana, kanji and hiragana. Initially I’m just going off google but if there is a better or more authentic way I’m all ears

I almost feel as though I tend to see the katakana more often than 熊 but I guess it depends on context/aesthetic etc

I am not a native or even particularly advanced student of the Japanese language so don't take my word for any of this. Just interested, I guess.

1 Attachment

Bears (熊科)

This is bears plural so wouldn’t that grammatically be a problem as it’s near singular.

Sorry to sound like a complete cunt.

Japanese grammar doesn't really do explicit singular/plural distinction in the same way as English. There are special plural suffixes but for the purposes of this, 'bear' and 'bears' would be the same word.

So is it クマ or 熊科?

クマ or 熊 are both correct.

Your second example refers to the scientific family of bears or something like that.

As for which one, I would defer to others on the nuances. They mean the same but as I understand are more or less appropriate in different contexts. That's where it gets beyond my pay grade.

If it's for a stamp/logo then i'd say クマ is fine

EDDed, are you selling bonsai pots?

I would possibly be interested in one if you are.

I’ve only just started making them so they aren’t the best. And also not even glazed or fire so may turn out shit.

I’ll make a few put them on the craft page and go from there.

Can I ask a question:

This is the rear of a Japanese Railway Watch from 1978 and the 433rd produced.
As I understand it, the middle characters say which department of JR it was issued to.
Could anyone shed light on which it is.
thanks

The middle characters say 門鉄 (montetsu) which after a confusing odyssey about rail advertising and bits of steam trains, led me to a listing for presumably the same type of watch:
https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/en/auction/yahoo/input/e524143563/lgk-category_en_ROOT_CITIZEN%E3%80%80%E8%85%95%E6%99%82%E8%A8%88

There's a handy little description of the engraving which indicates it's a shorthand/code for 門司鉄道管理局 (Moji Railway Administration Board), which I presume refers to here

@DayTripper_Mk2 So many thanks. That's quite exciting. Wasn't able to put any of the search terms. Appreciate the time you took looking, know what some of these warren holes can be like.

The location will set up my next trip to Japan that i've been planning / cancelling since my last trip to some of the northern parts in early 2019. Looks like it will be Feb 2023 now.

If interested, did a little blog of my trip

Thanks again

No problem at all. Funnily enough I was hoping you'd say something like that! I thought it looked like an interesting place. Keep us posted on the next trip. I'll check out the blog :)