ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 2541 http://www.s-gabriel.org/2541 ************************************ 11 Jun 2002 From: (Josh Mittleman) Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel! You asked whether is an appropriate name for a Japanese man in our period. Here is what we have found. Members of the noble class in period Japan used three part names: The nanori was your given name; the yobina was essentially a second given name used only by those intimate with you. Everyone else would address you by your family name and/or nanori. The family name and the yobina are pretty good choices: We know they were used during our period, though we don't know precisely when. is composed of kanji that mean "second son" or "next son" [1]. was pronounced \mee-nah--kah-wah\ and was \djee-roe--oo\. The double dash indicates a slightly longer pause between syllables. We aren't sure whether is a plausible nanori. The source you used to construct it glosses over some important details. Constructing plausible medieval Japanese names is more complex than the website suggests; in particular, elements of existing names cannot be freely recombined to create new names in the simple way that the author implies [2]. There are at least two kanji that transliterate which were used in nanori. The more common meant "morning, dawn" and appears in many names, including two 14th century names that are transliterated . The kanji that correspond to in these names mean "raw materials" in one name and "deputy (rescue/assist)" in the other [3]. Another less common means "friend". It appears as the first element in three names [4]: Tomokage 1332 (second element 'bright, magnificent') Tomokata (second element 'direction, method') Tomonori (second element 'make an example') As you'll have realized by this point, Japanese names weren't understood literally as a combinations of the meanings of their component kanji. It's best to think of them simply as names. There are several kanji transliterated that appeared in names. In 1332, the second element means "together, team-work". The same kanji appears in 1392, 1332, and . Other kanji with the same pronunciation that were used in names meant "support, aid; ministerial deputy", "deputy (rescue, assist)", and "divine help", and "raw materials" [5]. Since is fairly similar in pronunciation to your original choice, you might consider it as an alternative; the first element means "purpose, goal". Given this range of possibilities, it seems plausible that some combination pronounced might have been used; but since we have not found evidence of any such name, we can't recommend it as the best re-creation. The names we mentioned above, like and , are better choices. was pronounced \toe-moe--soo-kay\, was \tah-may--soo-kay\, and was \soo-kay--toe-moe\. We hope this letter has been useful. Please write us again if any part of it has been unclear or if you have other questions. I was assisted in researching and writing this letter by Talan Gwynek, Solveig Throndardottir, Catriona inghean ui Bhraonain, Adelaide de Beaumont, Mari neyn Brian, and Aryanhwy merch Catmael. For the Academy, Arval Benicoeur 11 Jun 2002 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - References [1] Solveig Throndardottir, _Name Construction in Mediaeval Japan_ (Carlsbad, N. Mex.: The Outlaw Press, 1994; Potboiler Press, 1999 [Box 30171, Columbia, MO 65205]), pp. 320, 209. Names that we've cited from this source without date were used at an uncertain date before 1600. [2] Tatsumi Tomoko, "Japanese Naming Practices" in "Vasha's Guide to Feudal Japan" (WWW: privately published). http://home.austin.rr.com/scajapan/LANGUAGE.HTM [3] Solveig Throndardottir, p.123. [4] ibid., p.199. [5] ibid., pp.184, 193, 227, 303f.