Focus

Japanese: ピント

〘noun〙 (from brandpunt) 1. The focal point of the lenses of a camera, eye, or glasses. ※Zoka Myoyo Idan (1879-80)〈Miyazaki Ryujo〉5 "The image of an object〈abbreviated〉 is also small and pointed , forming a central center like a point , and when this point reaches just the right amount to the brain's fascia, it can be seen very clearly." 2. The most important point of something. The central point. Also, the point where thoughts and feelings are concentrated. ※The Last Fire (1948) by Dan Kazuo “It seemed as if my feelings were becoming out of focus.” [Essay] (1) In the “Illustrated Photographic Mirror – First Edition” ( 1867 ) translated by Yanagawa Shunzo, it says, “The point at the very core. In England it is called ‘hokyus’. In Holland it is called ‘brandpynt.’ The point at which objects are most clearly reflected in a cloudy screen .” It is said that this “brandpynt” was shortened to “pinto.”
(2) The initial translation was "burning point," but this did not catch on, and the translation of the English word "focus" became more commonly used.

Source: The Selected Edition of the Japanese Language Dictionary About the Selected Edition of the Japanese Language Dictionary Information

Japanese:

〘名〙 (brandpunt から)① 写真機や目、眼鏡などのレンズの焦点。※造化妙々奇談（1879‐80）〈宮崎柳条〉五「物像〈略〉又束小し尖(とがり)て点(ピント)の如く一中枢を合成し、其尖点(ピント)、恰(ほどよ)く脳筋衣に達すれば即ち善く明らかに見ゆる也」② 物事のいちばん重要な点。中心点。また、考えや気持などが集中する一点。※終りの火（1948）〈檀一雄〉「気持のピントがぼやけてきたやうに思はれた」[語誌](1)柳河春三訳「写真鏡図説‐初」（一八六七）に「尖枢。英にては『ホキュス』。和蘭にては『ブランドピュント』と云ふ。物影不透明版(くもりいた)に映じて最鮮明なる処」とあり、この「ブランドピュント」が省略されて「ピント」になったといわれる。
(2)訳語として当初は「燃点」を当てたが定着はせず、英語 focus の訳語「焦点」の方が一般的であった。

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