ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 2587 http://www.s-gabriel.org/2587 ************************************ 1 Dec 2002 From: Josh Mittleman Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel! You asked whether we could suggest a name appropriate for a Japanese woman of the Heian period (late 8th to 12th century) using as the family name and as the given name. You wondered if you should insert the word or add a third name between them. If it were correct to add a third name, you would be interested in a name beginning or . Here is what we have found. Early medieval Japanese names were simpler than late medieval ones. The custom of using three-element names, consisting of a family name and two given names (the yobina and the nanori) probably developed late in the Heian period among the class of provincial lieutenant governors and local military leaders. If that fits your persona, then a three-part name might be appropriate. Otherwise, we recommend a two-part name that identifies you by your relationship to your father or husband [1]. is a fine choice at least for the beginning of your period: It was used in the 8th century or earlier [2]. It was pronounced \kee-tsoo-meh\. was the name of a family descended from Fujiwara Tadamichi (1097-1164). The first use of the name was by Sanetsune, Tadamichi's grandson [3]. Sanetsune's dates are unknown, but it is clear that the family name was not used before the mid-12th century [4]. In the 12th and 13th centuries, many noble houses adopted family names based on the name of one of their principal estates; the Daigo family was one such [5]. The name was pronounced \dye-goh\. We have found no feminine yobina or nanori that starts with , but we did find recorded in 1183 [2]. It was pronounced \tsoo-kee-meh\. The Japanese word , as used in names, roughly means "of". It was never written in names, but was customarily inserted in speech to indicate membership in a family, marital relationship, or (in men's names) ownership of land. Thus represents a correct 12th century written name meaning "Tsukime [of the] Daigo [family]". The same name when spoken could have been [6]. If we assumed that remained in use through the 12th century, then would be an equally good choice. If you decide on a three-part name, then under the same assumption, seems to be a plausible choice. 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 Mari neyn Brian, Talan Gwynek, Ursula Georges, Solveig Throndardottir, Adelaide de Beaumont, Julie Stampnitzky, Aryanhwy merch Catmael, and Leonor Martin. For the Academy, Arval Benicoeur 1 Dec 2002 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - References [1] We are not aware of a clear scholarly consensus on the exact chronology of the development of the three-part naming system in medieval Japan. Our recommendations are based on our own analysis. Compare Plutschow [5]. [2] Solveig Throndardottir, _Name Construction in Mediaeval Japan_ (Carlsbad, N. Mex.: The Outlaw Press, 1994; Potboiler Press, 1999 [Box 30171, Columbia, MO 65205]), pp. 153, 159, 376. [3] E. Papinot, Historical and Geographical Dictionary of Japan (Rutland, Vermont: Charles E. Tuttle Co., 1972), pp.63, 98. [4] was also the posthumous name of a 9th-10th century emperor; a 13th century emperor adopted the name "the latter Daigo" in his honor. Simon Cozens, "Go-Daigo" (WWW: privately published). http://www.compsoc.net/~gemini/simons/historyweb/go-daigo.html [5] Herbert Plutschow, _Japan's Name Culture: The Significance of Names in a Religious, Political, and Social Context_, (Kent: Japan Library, 1995), p. 109. [6] May 2002 Letter of Acceptances and Returns (WWW: SCA, Inc., 2002), Acceptances, East Kingdom, Fujiwara no Aoi. http://www.sca.org/heraldry/loar/2002/05/02-05lar.html