Italics and Japanese Words

[KansasWriter]

I'm writing a book where I use a half-a-dozen Japanese words fairly regularly. I'm a little confused about the proper use of italics. I've heard from one source that the italics should be used for the first instance of a foreign word and then not again.

On the other hand I've heard foreign words should constantly be italicized. If this is wrong, it lends a really pompous look to the book.

So what's the rule?

KW

[eyeblink]

On the other hand I've read novels where foreign words are not italicised at all - unless for emphasis, the same as any other word being emphasised.

Always-italicised is the most common method, but there is no "rule", more a matter of personal preference and/or publisher's house style.

[dpaterso]

Foreign words and ship names are usually italicized.

Domo arigatou gozaimasu.
U.S.S. Lexington.

-Derek

[KansasWriter]

Thank you.

Honto desu ka? You are in Japan right now? No wait: I just googled your ship. It is apparently docked in the Gulf of Mexico which, I'm pretty sure, is not in Japan.

KW

[maestrowork]

Foreign words are always italicized, unless they've been incorporated into English and our culture, such as sushi or ramen or croissants.

[KikiteNeko]

I think they're always italicized, but I've been told the editors will tell you what to do in the final revisions. I did read one book where I THINK the Japanese words weren't italicized.