History Main / YamatoNadeshiko

* [[spoiler:Fumino Kotoyose]] from VisualNovel/{{Nukitashi}} has been thoroughly raised in this mindset and it shows when she joins the NLNS, with her knitting and tea brewing skills and her kind, refined and loyal personality. At the same time, she always protects her teammates with her sniper rifle. In her route she gets even more diligent doing housework and cooking for Junnosuke.

* In the ComicBook/XMen books, Wolverine was in love with Mariko Yashida for a good portion of Claremont's run after Jean Grey's death, and even [[BackFromTheDead after she came back]], he stayed devoted to Mariko, though by then he was [[CourtlyLove loving from afar]]. Mariko herself was a perfect example of this, determined to free her family from its underworld ties at any cost...[[CartwrightCurse and ultimately, any cost was what it took.]]

* Like mentioned above, Japan is this in ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11886910/1/Gankona-Unnachgiebig-Unità Gankona, Unnachgiebig, Unità]]'' in contrast to Germany, who is a male {{tsundere}}. Let's just say Italy had guys with different personalities to choose from.

%%zce* In ''Fanfic/KyonBigDamnHero'', Tsuruya is surprised that her father thinks of her as a wildflower while she's dressing up for the [[spoiler:ArrangedMarriage]].

* ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls'': Evetta may not have the Japanese appearance or hobbies, but she behaves like one with her soothing voice and deliberately graceful movements. Her manner of dress (a bonnet, a small hair ornament, and a dress with intricate patterns sewn on it) is feminine and modest. As [[KindlyHousekeeper caretaker]] of [[PocketDimension the Dream]], Evetta has the domestic ability to match. She's [[NiceGirl polite, peaceful]], [[TheStoic unruffled]], and [[UndyingLoyalty devoted]] to her Good Hunter as well as her duties in the Dream (or Kyril's ''office'') whenever he is away. As for the essential SilkHidingSteel trait (or rather, ''[[AnimateInanimateObject Porcelain]]'' Hiding Steel), [[spoiler:Evetta doesn't hesitate to utilise her [[LovecraftianSuperpower "ancient power"]] when threatened, either to make her belligerents behave or to [[PsychicStrangle rend]] them outright]], maintaining her poise all the while. The cherry on top? She kindly [[DidWeJustHaveTeaWithCthulhu makes tea for Cthulhu]] [[spoiler:(the very same [[HumanoidAbomination Good Hunter]])]] as many times as she wants.

* Deliberately subverted in ''Fanfic/SonicXDarkChaos'' with Sonya the Hedgehog - she's brash, cocky, prideful, and hot-tempered ([[JerkWithAHeartOfGold but good underneath it all]]). She also considers women who follow this trope to be weak helpless doormats [[spoiler:although she has a FreudianExcuse to explain it]]. By contrast, Cosmo plays this trope completely straight as part of her AdaptationalBadass characterization.

[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
* ''Anime/SummerWars'': Grandma Sakae. Not only does she fit the build, running her extended family by traditional values, but she also wields a naginata with skill.
[[/folder]]

* ''Film/TheTwilightSamurai'' (a.k.a. ''Tasogare Seibei''): Tomoe, the female [[LoveInterest romantic lead]]. Since the film is set in [[JidaiGeki nineteenth-century Japan]], the [[JustifiedTrope trope doesn't seem out of place]]; if anything, [[PluckyGirl Tomoe is the most "modern" major character in the film]]. Nevertheless, she's a convincing if not outright iconic ''yamato nadeshiko''.

%%zce** In some form of distaff HilariousInHindsight karma, trailers for Lin Chiling's new movie ''Treasure Hunter'' have her wielding a spear [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_At5enQ6q8 in her first major fight scene]].

* ''{{Film/Sayonara}}'' - one of the first Hollywood films to feature sympathetic Japanese protagonists - has two characters filling different aspects of the trope:
** Katsumi is introduced as Joe Kelly's bride-to-be - a polite and sweet girl who [[ShrinkingViolet speaks quietly]] and fits the domestic requirements of the trope. There is one scene in which this is PlayedForDrama; when the US army is putting pressure on its soldiers married to Japanese women, Kelly discovers that Katsumi was planning to get back-alley surgery on her eyes [[PassFail to look more Anglo]] and avoid persecution.

* Keiko in ''Film/WhenAWomanAscendsTheStairs'' is arguably a [[DeconstructedTrope deconstruction]] of this trope. She's refined, warm, and caring towards her clients (she's a geisha), as well as her colleagues, but inside, she's deeply melancholy, hating the life she's living. In addition, unlike most of the other geisha, she wears kimonos instead of dresses, hates to drink, and won't sleep with clients if she can avoid it, and while this makes her respected, it also means she has to struggle with money constantly.

* Discussed in ''Obasan'' by Joy Kogawa, where Naomi discusses how her female relatives were like that.

* In ''Literature/{{Shogun}}'', Mariko Buntaro is a quiet yet very plucky woman in the service of [[MagnificentBastard Toranaga]], who refuses her husband in private and once talked back to Toranaga himself ''and'' got away with it, despite having hit her master's BerserkButton. In the end, she [[spoiler:throws herself on an explosive while proclaiming that this is her "honorable ''Seppuku''" protesting their imprisonment at Ishido's hands... [[ThanatosGambit forcing Ishido to free his hostages and pave the way for Toranaga to seize control of the country]].]] This is TruthInTelevision as Mariko is an {{expy}} of a RealLife ''yamato nadeshiko'': the very famous Tama "Gracia" Hosokawa.

* ''Literature/TaleOfYashima'': Several of the female characters, but Atsuda Manami in particular.

* In the ''Yoko'' and ''Yoko & Friends'' series by Creator/RosemaryWells. The titular protagonist's mother who is an anthropomorphic Japanese cat who pretty much follows this trope.

* ''[[Literature/TheTaleOfTheBambooCutter The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter]]'': Kaguya-hime was sweet, polite, gentle, and devoted to her adoptive parents. While she ''did'' [[ImpossibleTask ask her suitors to do impossible things as the condition to marry any of them]] (which meant, [[FailureIsTheOnlyOption neither succeeded]]), it wasn't because of hate or cruelty, but because [[spoiler:she had to return to the Moon at some point, to become its Queen.]]

* ''Literature/FlowerDrumSong'' - Mei Li is Chinese (though in the original run and film adaptation she was played by a Japanese actress) and fits the traditional values of China, down to her demureness and innocence - though she does display moments of street-smarts and an enthusiasm for American pulp movies. She displays the SilkHidingSteel when she discovers that her fiance had spent the night at another woman's house; breaking it off with him with dignity and calmly telling him she does not love him anymore. She provides a {{Foil}} to the more Americanized GoodBadGirl Linda Low.

* ''VisualNovel/{{Happiness}}'': Saya. Explicitly referred to as such by Hachisuke.
* ''VisualNovel/KaraNoShoujo'': Yukari wears traditional Japanese clothing around the house. However, she's also a Cloudcuckoolander and has questionable taste, which puts the impression in a comical light.

* ''VisualNovel/{{Shuffle}}'' Kaede Fuyou is unfailingly gentle, politely insisting on taking care of Rin, and is a terrific cook and from there, her characterization changes depending on the original visual novel or the anime. In the former, [[HeroicSelfDeprecation she think too poorly of herself to start a genuine relationship with Rin]] and in the latter, [[spoiler: she goes {{yandere}} when Rin falls for their common friend, Asa.]]
* Touko in ''VisualNovel/{{Suika}}'' intentionally takes on this role. Her passivity and devotion are ''disturbing'' to Yoshikazu, her boyfriend.

* ''VisualNovel/UminekoWhenTheyCry''

* [[https://tapastic.com/episode/501506 Jade]] of the ''Webcomic/GhostBlade'' webcomic is very nearly one of those, acting as an incidental ReplacementGoldfish for her dead sister's [[LivingLegend husband]].

* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'''':''

** Mai is an AloofDarkHairedGirl and a LadyOfWar, but personality-wise she's more deadpan than the standard, and a lot of her apparent elegance is born out of apathy, as it was forced on her by her mother so she wouldn't "embarrass" the family. She [[spoiler:defies none other than '''[[DaddysLittleVillain Azula]]''', for [[ViolentlyProtectiveGirlfriend the sake of the man she loves]], Azula's older brother Zuko. "I love Zuko more than I fear you!".]]
** [[Characters/AvatarTheLastAirbenderTophBeifong Toph Beifong]] can fake it perfectly, as when she shows up in a white dress in her parents' home - except she really, ''really'' dislikes it. Before leaving home she moonlights as a pro wrestler, and once she's free of her parents' supervision and can act the way she wants to, she proves to be very crude, aggressive, and unladylike indeed.

* ''WesternAnimation/MollyOfDenali'': Kenji Ookami is a rare male example. His wife doesn't fit the trope since she isn't Japanese, but Kenji has all the trademarks of a typical YN; he's polite yet firm, loves his family, and takes good care of animals.
* The ill-fated Tang Shen, as described in Leonardo's "Tale of Master Yoshi" in ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003''.

* Wrestling/TorrieWilson describes Kenzo Suzuki's wife Hiroko as being one in real life -- loyal and dedicated to her husband, who was happy to be part of a storyline with her in order to put Kenzo over.
* Actress Yuko Takeuchi was described as "the very image of the Yamato Nadeshiko" by a news commentator, and according to [[https://variety.com/2020/film/asia/explaining-death-of-takeuchi-yuko-japan-struggles-1234785142/ this Variety article]], her reputation is the real deal.

Yamato nadeshiko (やまとなでしこ or 大和撫子), a complicated UsefulNotes/{{Japan}}ese aesthetic and cultural concept. Breaking the expression down: "Yamato" is one of the older (and thus fancier) and more poetic names for Japan and the Japanese people and culture, similar to the Latin "Albion" for the island of Great Britain and Irish "Hibernia"/"Erin" for Ireland; "Nadeshiko" is the Japanese name for ''Dianthus superbus'', a wildflower found in the Japanese highlands that is related to the carnation (''Dianthus caryophyllus'').

With some notable exceptions, ''yamato nadeshiko'' will be of medium height, willowy, modestly endowed, and [[SlidingScaleOfBeauty good-looking without being too beautiful or too cute]]; they will have [[RavenHairIvorySkin pale skin]] and {{long|HairIsFeminine}} dark hair with [[HimeCut full, straight bangs and sidelocks]]. They'll dress in feminine fashions: skirts, blouses, low-heeled shoes, lace, ribbons and simple hair ornaments. The other option is the impeccable ladylike style for adults. A {{kimono|IsTraditional}} is likely to be worn by a ''nadeshiko'' brought up in the good old Kyoto style. Some may wear jewelry and make-up, but not too much. Their voices will often be as gentle, calm, and warm as melted butter. [[TaremeEyes Large, rounded eyes]] are always a good bet. It is not unusual for {{geisha}} to be a ''yamato nadeshiko''. Will also be likely to say ''Ara ara'' ("Oh My") as a VerbalTic to indicate calm surprise.

Compare {{Moe}}, another standard of idealised Japanese beauty, but with less emphasis on maturity and more on protectiveness, youthfulness and vulnerability. Compare and contrast {{Geisha}}, who are expected to be outspoken, social and intellectually equal to men.

* ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls'': Evetta may not have the Japanese appearance or hobbies, but she behaves like one with her soothing voice and deliberately graceful movements. Her manner of dress (a bonnet, a small hair ornament, and a dress with intricate patterns sewn on it) is feminine and modest. As [[KindlyHousekeeper caretaker]] of [[PocketDimension the Dream]], Evetta has the domestic ability to match. She's [[NiceGirl polite, peaceful]], [[TheStoic unruffled]], and [[UndyingLoyalty devoted]] to her Good Hunter as well as her duties in the Dream (or Kyril's ''office'') whenever he is away. As for the essential SilkHidingSteel trait (or rather, ''[[AnimateInanimateObject Porcelain]]'' Hiding Steel), [[spoiler:Evetta doesn't hesitate to utilise her [[LovecraftianSuperpower "ancient power"]] when threatened, either to make her belligerents behave, or to [[PsychicStrangle rend]] them outright]], maintaining her poise all the while. The cherry on top? She kindly [[DidWeJustHaveTeaWithCthulhu makes tea for Cthulhu]] [[spoiler:(the very same [[HumanoidAbomination Good Hunter]])]] as many times as she wants.

* Hinata was referred to as Konoha's very own ''yamato nadeshiko'' incarnate before the time traveling incident that started off the events of ''Fanfic/IAmNOTGoingThroughPubertyAgain'', her fame a result of her marriage to Naruto and her own considerable skills. In Chapter 9, though he never directly refers to the term itself, Shino muses on how easily Hinata slipped into the leadership role, manipulating both him and Kiba with terrifying efficiency in such a warm and kind manner that neither of them can really find any fault with it.

* ''Film/TheTwilightSamurai'' (a.k.a. ''Tasogare Seibei''): Tomoe, the female [[LoveInterest romantic lead]]. Since the film is set in [[JidaiGeki nineteenth century Japan]], the [[JustifiedTrope trope doesn't seem out of place]]; if anything, [[PluckyGirl Tomoe is the most "modern" major character in the film]]. Nevertheless, she's a convincing if not outright iconic ''yamato nadeshiko''.

* ''{{Film/Sayonara}}'' - one of the first Hollywood films to feature sympathetic Japanese protagonists - has two characters filling different aspects of the trope.
** Katsumi is introduced as Joe Kelly's bride-to-be - a polite and sweet girl who [[ShrinkingViolet speaks quietly]], and fits the domestic requirements of the trope. There is one scene in which this is PlayedForDrama; when the US army is putting pressure on its soldiers married to Japanese women, Kelly discovers that Katsumi was planning to get back-alley surgery on her eyes [[PassFail to look more Anglo]] and avoid persecution.

* Keiko in ''Film/WhenAWomanAscendsTheStairs'' is arguably a [[DeconstructedTrope deconstruction]] of this trope. She's refined, warm, and caring towards her clients (she's a geisha), as well her colleagues, but inside, she's deeply melancholy, hating the life she's living. In addition, unlike most of the other geisha, she wears kimonos instead of dresses, hates to drink, and won't sleep with clients if she can avoid it, and while this makes her respected, it also means she has to struggle with money constantly.

** Shouko Kirishima has the perfect looks with her petite build, cute-but-not-gorgeous looks and dark hair which ''almost'' has a HimeCut, as well as her intense desire to be Yuuji's wife. She varies slightly in she uses [[HeroesPreferSwords a katana]] instead of a naginata in battle. She varies even more [[{{Yandere}} with the rest of her personality]]: this means, she's determined to be her beloved Yuuji's bride and make him happy... and to do this she'll taser him, poke his eyes, burn his porn, etc.

** Anri Sonohara has a passive, soft-spoken and gentle personality, although she won't let others push her around all the time. To seal the deal, she wears yukata on occasion [[spoiler:and wields a katana]].

* ''Literature/TheIrregularAtMagicHighSchool'' has Miyuki Shiba, whose appearance [[spoiler:was specially genetically modified]] in order to maximally correspond to this ideal. As a result, her hair is more black than that of any of her relatives, and her skin looks so pale that on some official art looks almost like a white make-up of a geisha, not to mention her ideal features and delicate behavior. In view of this, she is so beautiful from the point of view of others that many are stunned or even scared, first met her. All this together with her devoted character makes her an ideal woman and wife, which looks somewhat disturbing in connection with the BrotherSisterIncest character of the story.
* ''Literature/InvadersOfTheRokujyouma'' has four examples. Kiriha is a scion of an ancient house, has a HimeCut as well as a cool and collected personality, cooks, cleans and wields a Naginata. Ruth is from a distinguished knightly family, has a modest and polite personality and is a SupremeChef. Harumi is from OldMoney, is shy and retiring and absolutely will not abandon her friends. Finally, Sanae is a Miko, was an archer in middleschool and is also a good cook.

* ''Literature/MariaWatchesOverUs'': Out of the girls, Shimako Todou is the one who fits the most. She's prim, proper and gentle, and used to be super shy until Noriko pointed out that she was no burden on anyone and she shouldn't think of herself as such. As a result she's the most admired and popular of the first-year students, loved for her beauty and her SilkHidingSteel mindset. [[AmazinglyEmbarrassingParents Just don't parade her Buddhist priest dad around for ghost hunts, okay?]]

* The main character of Sawako Ariyoshi's novel ''The River Ki'', Hana, is a well-born ''yamato nadeshiko'' born in the late 19th century. The novel starts with her marriage, whereupon she devotes herself fervently to serving her husband, his family, and their interests. She's highly cultured and graceful (also beautiful and tall), and quickly earns a reputation for tact and wisdom by serving as a matchmaker. She uses behind-the-scenes influence with great skill and energy to further her husband's political career. She's definitely strong and is compared to a river that swallows up all lesser tributaries. Hana finds this to be a fulfilling life. However, her rebellious daughter Fumio and her modern granddaughter Hanako don't share her values, and a major theme in the novel is Hana puzzling over, and partially coming to terms with, their alternate way of thinking. Hanako admires her grandmother but couldn't be her even if she wanted to: the social conditions for it don't exist in the post-war years.
* In ''Literature/{{Shogun}}'', Mariko Buntaro is a quiet yet very plucky woman in the service of [[MagnificentBastard Toranaga]], who refuses her husband in private and once talked back to Toranaga himself ''and'' got away with it, despite having hit her master's BerserkButton. In the end, she [[spoiler:throws herself on an explosive while proclaiming that this is her "honorable ''Seppuku''" protesting their imprisonment at Ishido's hands.... [[ThanatosGambit forcing Ishido to free his hostages and pave the way for Toranaga to seize control of the country]].]] This is TruthInTelevision as Mariko is an {{expy}} of a RealLife ''yamato nadeshiko'': the very famous Tama "Gracia" Hosokawa.
* ''Literature/SisterhoodSeries'' by Creator/FernMichaels: Despite Yoko Akia referring to herself as Chinese in ''Weekend Warriors'', ''Free Fall'' establishes her as Japanese, so she is definitely this trope. She is highly feminine, and mostly polite and soft-spoken, but make no mistake, this 4 feet 8 inches tall, 90-pound woman can and will engage in WaifFu if the situation calls for it. In fact, she has lost a fight on-screen and she pinned her future husband Harry Wong to the ground in a sparring match. It is telling because Harry can flatten just about anybody in a fight, and he states afterward that that was the first time in his life that he had ever been pinned to the ground.
* ''Literature/SisterPrincess'' has an odd example. Haruka is from ''Germany'' and yet she acts more traditionally Japanese than any of the cast: wearing kimono, conducting tea ceremonies, practicing with a naginata etc.
* In ''Literature/SwordArtOnline'', Yuuko was a blushing, submissive wife with no desires other than to live quietly with her husband... until they got trapped in the game. While [[spoiler:Grimrock]] freaked out, Yuuko reinvented herself as Griselda and rose to the challenge, forming a powerful guild and becoming idolized by all. [[spoiler:And sadly, this ends in tragedy. The combined stresses of being trapped in a death game and losing control over her drove Grimrock to have Griselda murdered, and later to a MyGodWhatHaveIDone when Asuna learns what happened and [[KirkSummation tells him off for that]]]]..

* ''Literature/{{Toradora}}'': Sumire Kanou is a subversion. She is described as having the looks and elegance of a ''yamato nadeshiko'', and is the StudentCouncilPresident. She has black hair in the light novels, but has blue hair in the anime adaptation. However, she's actually very coarse in her speech and she's also revealed to not be as mature as she seems.

** A ''yamato nadeshiko'' from ImperialChina (sort of) is Rangyoku. An orphan who works [[TeamMom as the housekeeper]] [[TeamChef and cook]] for an old man named Enho and takes care of her brother Keikei, she's the most polite and sweet girl in the kingdom of Kei. [[spoiler:She meets a tragic end when some soldiers assault the house, kidnap Enho, injure Keikei and stab her to death]].

** The following season ''Series/MahouSentaiMagiranger'' yields a better example, Ozu Miyuki, literally the mother of the core 5 Rangers. Even her superhero identity is named Magi''Mother''. [=MagiBlue=], Urara is an example-in-training and tall, long-haired, sweet TeamDad Makito has elements of a male version.

* Stahma Tarr from ''Series/{{Defiance}}'' is a rare few examples in Western media that done well. She is a beautiful woman who is devoted to her husband and son, as well as being quiet, humble and polite. However, unlike many examples, she is not Japanese or even a human, but instead an [[ProudWarriorRace alien]]—specifically, a [[SpaceElves Castithan]]. She is then a ''[[TragicVillain (anti-)]]villain'', so all of the personalities that associated with being this trope turned her into a LadyMacbeth and ManipulativeBitch. She despises her culture's misogynistic ways and is utterly ruthless to prove herself and gets what she wants, including using [[FemmeFatale her sexuality]]. Also unlike most examples of this tropes, she doesn't love Datak despite his cruelty, but ''[[InLoveWithYourCarnage because]]'' of it: She considers his cutthroat nature to be proof of his ambition and willingness to do anything in order to succeed, something she couldn't do because of her society. So can be counted as as this trope being [[PlayingWithATrope played with in many directions]], showing how a Yamato Nadeshiko might act if she is in a SciFi series.
* The protagonist of the series ''Series/{{Oshin}}'', Shin "Oshin" Tanokura, is seen as a TropeCodifier in modern times since she's a strongwilled and plucky Japanese woman who's also kind, sweet and duty-bound. And she always wears a [[KimonoIsTraditional kimono]], even in her older years ''after'' UsefulNotes/WorldWarII.

* ''[[Literature/TheTaleOfTheBambooCutter The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter]]'': Kaguya-hime was sweet, polite, gentle and devoted to her adoptive parents. While she ''did'' [[ImpossibleTask ask her suitors to do impossible things as the condition to marry any of them]] (which meant, [[FailureIsTheOnlyOption neither succeeded]]), it wasn't because of hate or cruelty, but because [[spoiler:she had to return to the Moon at some point, to become its Queen.]]

* In ''TabletopGame/BattleTech'', Omiko Kurita is practically a picture perfect example of one, both from the flower of womanhood aspect, shown in her introduction in the Blood of Kerensky books, and the SilkHidingSteel, as she fended off an assassination attempt by her [[StarCrossedLovers lover's]] sister, and almost succeeded in fending off a second attempt.

* Cio-Cio San, the main character in Puccini's opera ''Theatre/MadameButterfly'', is often believed to be this by Westerners... but she's actually more of a "China Doll" [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereotypes_of_East_Asians_in_the_Western_world#.22China_doll.22_stereotype aka the stereotyped and racist/sexist view of East Asian women in the West]], as she lacks the SilkHidingSteel part that is needed. Therefore, she can be viewed as an example on how NOT to write a ''yamato nadeshiko''.

** ''VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorney'': Iris is a kind RavenHairIvorySkinBeauty, who is always polite to everyone. She also very protective of people she cares about as shown when she gently, but firmly cut of Phoenix arguing with [[spoiler:Edgeworth]], when they were on a way to rescue [[spoiler: her cousin]], or when she claims she'd do anything to stop [[spoiler: Dahlia from killing Phoenix, [[ViolentlyProtectiveGirlfriend including killing her]]]], had she known about her plans.

** Lilly Satou [[PlayingWithATrope is a spin on the trope.]] [[ButNotTooForeign She's only half Japanese]] and has blonde hair instead of black, but she's very calm and ladylike and her "touch of iron" is most evident when she has to deal with [[ManipulativeBastard Shizune]]. Also [[spoiler: her being this is why Hisao has a difficulty reading her emotions. Furthermore, [[DontYouDarePityMe she annoys him with her pity.]] She [[StepfordSmiler represses her emotions]] to the point where Hisao has to get a severe heart murmur before she can confess to him. Near the end of Act IV, she can't reject her parents' wishes for her to return permanently to Scotland despite how unhappy it will make her. In the Good Ending, Hisao [[HeartTrauma has to give himself a heart attack chasing her]] before Lilly can follow her heart and choose to stay with Hisao and her friends.]]

* ''VisualNovel/{{Shuffle}}'' Kaede Fuyou is unfailingly gentle, politely insisting on taking care of Rin, and is a terrific cook and from there her characterization changes depending on the original visual novel or the anime. In the former, [[HeroicSelfDeprecation she think too poorly of herself to start a genuine relationship with Rin]] and in the latter, [[spoiler: she goes {{yandere}} when Rin falls for their common friend, Asa.]]
* Touko in ''VisualNovel/{{Suika}}'' intentionally takes on this role. Her passivity and devotion is ''disturbing'' to Yoshikazu, her boyfriend.
* Saki Nijino from the first ''VisualNovel/TokimekiMemorial'' game is a downplayed example. While she's [[SupremeChef highly skilled at cooking]], enjoys taking care of her friends in a motherly way and is very dedicated to upholding family tradition, she doesn't have the typical hairstyle (having short, light blue hair rather than a HimeCut) and is more upbeat and energetic than the archetype usually is.
* In ''VisualNovel/TrueLoveJunaiMonogatari'', [[CuteBookworm Remi Himekawa]] fits in fairly well. She has the looks, the cool and polite behavior, and the cooking skills, and not to mention she is the very booksmart, well-loved and respected StudentCouncilPresident of the PlayerCharacter's school.

** Natsuhi Ushiromiya tries her hardest to play this trope straight. It helps that she has the looks, comes from a traditional family of Shinto priests and is very dedicated to her husband, but she ultimately has too much of a HairTriggerTemper to truly be a ''yamato nadeshiko'' due to the constant stress [[BigScrewedUpFamily the family she married into]] puts on her.
** Virgilia is an elegant witch and Beatrice's mentor who will drop more than a few hints in order help Battler succeed. For a bonus, [[Creator/KikukoInoue yep, she's voiced by Kikuko Inoue (count: 18)]].

* ''Ronin Galaxy'': Ai is a direct example of this trope. She goes from being a naginata-wielding home defender one second, to a proper, tea pouring geisha-type the next.
* The YN of ''Webcomic/ContemplatingReiko'' is the mother of TheProtagonist, Fumiko. She's the demon world version of this trope: a doting mother and HouseWife whose hobbies include flower arranging, calligraphy, tea ceremony, katana wielding, drinking booze, and bounty hunting.

** Princess Ursa is soft-spoken, beautiful, calm and very proper, teaching Zuko about small things in the ways of life and wondering what's wrong with Azula when she's in full CreepyChild mode. She shows the core of iron by [[spoiler:''killing her father-in-law'' [[MamaBear to protect young Zuko]].]]
** Mai is an AloofDarkHairedGirl and a LadyOfWar, but personality-wise she's more deadpan than the standard and a lot of her apparent elegance is born out of apathy, as it was forced on her by her mother so she wouldn't "embarrass" the family. She [[spoiler:defies none other than '''[[DaddysLittleVillain Azula]]''', for [[ViolentlyProtectiveGirlfriend the sake of the man she loves]], Azula's older brother Zuko. "I love Zuko more than I fear you!".]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible'' there's Yori, who crushed on Ron in Season 2 and 3, but is very submissive and deferential despite her [[ActionGirl impressive martial-arts skills]] as a {{ninja}}. When Kim and Ron finally hook up in season four, Yori [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy calmly accepts it]] and claims it to be [[YouCantFightFate destiny]]. (Which saves her from the DieForOurShip that a ''yamato nadeshiko'' love interest usually goes through.)

* The TropeCodifier would be the ''Chiran Nadeshiko Unit''. Created by UsefulNotes/ImperialJapan in the closing stages of UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, it was composed of middle-school and high school girls, who served as surrogate [[LittleSisterHeroine 'little sisters']] providing housekeeping for the transient pilots' barracks at Chiran Airbase in Kagoshima Prefecture and taking care of the pilots for the brief periods between their arrival from training bases elsewhere and their departure on their final missions. The idea was that they would be a source of [[TheHeart comfort and companionship to the pilots]] while serving as (not-so) subtle reminders of [[DeclarationOfProtection what they were sacrificing themselves to protect]]. The unit was highly publicized in Imperial Japan for propaganda purposes, but befriending successive waves of airmen (most of them little more than teens themselves) [[HerHeartWillGoOn only to watch them sent off to die]] in so-called 'Kamikaze' attacks [[BreakTheCutie inflicted a severe psychological toll on the girls]]. The program finally ended after an air-raid convinced the authorities that the airfield [[HarmfulToMinors had become too dangerous for them]], though remarkably none of the girls were killed. Some surmise that the modern iteration of the ''yamato nadeshiko'' has its basis in wartime propaganda intended to buck up the home front. The full story of the Chiran girls can be found in books like ''BLOSSOMS IN THE WIND: Human Legacies of the Kamikaze'' by M.G. Sheftall, or ''[[http://www.kamikazeimages.net/books/japanese/sato/index.htm Tokkou no Machi: Chiran]]'' by Sanae Sato.

* Wrestling/TorrieWilson describes Kenzo Suzuki's wife Hiroko as being one in real life - loyal and dedicated to her husband, who was happy to be part of a storyline with her in order to put Kenzo over.
* Actress Yuko Takeuchi was described as "the very image of the Yamato Nadeshiko" by a news commentator, and according to [[https://variety.com/2020/film/asia/explaining-death-of-takeuchi-yuko-japan-struggles-1234785142/ this Variety article]] her reputation is the real deal.

Expect her name to end in "-ko" [子] or "-bi", "-mi" [美], which mean "child" and "beauty", respectively.[[labelnote:Protip]]"-ko" in words is analogous to the Western suffix "-a"/"-ette"/"-elle"/"-ine" in making any name feminine. Most feminine names have these suffixes.[[/labelnote]] Less subtle examples might even use ''Nadeshiko'' for the MeaningfulName factor.

'''Note''': This trope is for the Japanese archetype in particular and the Eastern Asian archetype in general. For the Western/European archetype, see ProperLady. For a general 'proper on the outside, powerful on the inside' woman, use SilkHidingSteel. For tropes describing homemakers and housewives in general, use {{Housewife}}. To describe 'innocence' or 'gentleness', use TheIngenue. Polite or friendliness can be covered by NiceGirl. For a person whose niceness belies danger/effectiveness, use BewareTheNiceOnes. General girliness is covered by GirlyGirl.

** Toph can fake it perfectly, as when she shows up in a white dress in her parents' home - except she really, ''really'' dislikes it. Before leaving home she moonlights as a pro wrestler, and once she's free of her parents' supervision and can act the way she wants to, she proves to be very crude, aggressive, and unladylike indeed.

Sometimes, these ladies will also [[ActionGirl know self-defense]], even if [[MartialPacifist they would rather not fight if it can be avoided]]. This makes sense as many ''nadeshiko'' came from samurai clans and thus were trained in fighting, so they could defend their homes whenever the males were absent. If that's the case, [[LadyOfWar they'll be very graceful and effective in the battlefield]], and they're likely to be {{White Magician Girl}}s or {{Barrier Warrior}}s. If they're neither, they'll likely use [[BladeOnAStick polearms, lances]] (specifically [[NaginatasAreFeminine naginata]] which daughters of samurai families were traditionally trained in and included in their dowry) or bow/arrows, and maybe even small tantou daggers [[HiddenWeapons that may be hidden in their clothes]].

%%zce** In some form of distaff HilariousInHindsight karma, trailers for Lin Chiling's new movie ''Treasure Hunter'' have her wielding a BladeOnAStick [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_At5enQ6q8 in her first major fight scene]].

** In ''LightNovel/FateZero'', Sakura's mother Aoi wants to and ''desperately'' tries to be this for the sake of her family. However, the poor woman completely [[ExtremeDoormat lacks the "iron core"]], and she's ultimately not equipped to deal with the hardships she's dealt.

* ''LightNovel/HarukaNogizakasSecret'': Haruka's mother takes the cake. When her husband charges into a random house armed with a sword and [[BadassCrew his own personal army]], she calmly walks in and convinces him to leave their daughter alone and give his blessing for her hobby. She has a BattleAura and GlowingEyesOfDoom but is standing there calmly.