This is another surname with the same pronunciation but different kanji characters.
Unlike the common Yamamoto in Japan (where the second character is “本” meaning “book”), this one uses “元” meaning ‘origin’ or “source.”
Its origin is said to be primarily from the area around Okinawa, where the Ryukyu Kingdom once existed, extending to the Tokara Islands, due to its prevalence in Kagoshima Prefecture. A leading theory suggests it derives from the geographical feature “at the foot of the mountain,” and these branches likely spread to Kagoshima over generations.
Its strong association with the Shimazu clan of Satsuma Domain, which ruled Kagoshima during the Edo period, serves as evidence for this.
Its strong association with the Shimazu clan of Satsuma Domain, which ruled Kagoshima during the Edo period, serves as evidence for this.
Nationwide, 23,000 people bear this surname.
That’s enough to fill the O2 Arena in the UK.
Compared to all surnames in Japan, this is a relatively small number.
That’s enough to fill the O2 Arena in the UK.
Compared to all surnames in Japan, this is a relatively small number.
Explanation of this calligraphy
The top row is in hiragana, the middle row in kanji, and the bottom row in katakana, all written horizontally.
