The sentiments expressed by Mr Young are the reason why I added the question "Any the wiser?" to my answer to the translation question you asked in the other thread.
However, unlike Mr Young, I have found that interest in the totally impossible task of putting my own name into kanji comes from some of my Japanese friends here. Usually this arises when the question of changing my nationality is discussed and they all believe (mistakenly, I think) that a name change is required. Out come the paper and pencils and in the ensuing discussion--sometimes arguments, it is very interesting to see the extent to which Japanese understand their own written language.
Peter Goldsbury,
Forum Administrator,
Hiroshima, Japan