ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 3172 http://www.s-gabriel.org/3172 ************************************ 31 Aug 2006 From: Aryanhwy merch Catmael Greetings from the Academy of S. Gabriel! You wanted to know if (where the represents an with a line over it) is an appropriate name for a Japanese woman living between 1450 and 1550. Here is what we have found. The surname can also be Romanized as . We found in 1332, c. 1582, and one undated example before 1600, so it is a fine choice for your surname. [1] was pronounced roughly \kah-tow\, where \ow\ rhymes with . The feminine given name can be found in the Muromachi period, from 1336 to 1572. [2] was pronounced roughly \tah-tsoo-koh\. is a fine name for a Japanese woman of your period. We hope that this letter has been useful to you and that you won't hesitate to write us again if any part was unclear or if you have further questions. Research and commentary on this letter was provided by Ursula Georges, Mari neyn Brian, Juliana de Luna, and Talan Gwynek. For the Academy, -Aryanhwy merch Catmael, 31 August 2006 -- 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. 104, 163, 404. [2] Solveig, op. cit., p. 385.