1. It is a city located in the center region of Nagano prefecture. 2. Matsumoto is the 15th most common Japanese surname. There are about 620,000 people in Japan. It is as large as the population of Portland, Oregon. The most popular existing castle is Matsumoto Castle. It is located in Matsumoto City, also … Read More
Shimizu is the 20th most common Japanese surname. Shimizu means “the place where Shimizu springs”. Inoue is an artificial water source, while Shimizu is a natural water source. Therefore, it is thought that there are many place names in the mountains and near the mountains.
Hasebe is one of the surnames used for people’s names. The most widely accepted theory regarding the origin of this surname is that it was given to people who managed the land allotted for the livelihood of Emperor Yūryaku (c. 456–479 AD) or who served at the Imperial Palace performing duties such as guarding … Read More
Abbreviations for Prefecture and City Names A prefecture occupying roughly the central part of the Kinki region. Located near the center of Japan, the Nara Basin in the northern part of the prefecture was celebrated throughout the Asuka and Nara periods as the “heart of the nation” and the “land of plenty,” flourishing as … Read More
Generally referring to Osaka, but the kanji and readings vary by era and region. Naniwa An ancient name for present-day Osaka City and its surrounding areas. Also written as “浪速” or “浪華”. Before the Taika Reform, it flourished as a key maritime transportation hub. Notably, since the tributary missions from the Three Kingdoms of … Read More
The Origin of the Mōri Clan Name. A Sengoku daimyō and early modern daimyō. Their ancestor was Suemitsu, son of Ōe no Hiromoto, who resided in Mōri Manor in Sagami Province and adopted the Mōri name. In 1270, Tokichika inherited the position of jitō (land steward) of Yoshida Manor in Aki Province from his … Read More
The surname of a warlord who ruled the area around present-day Yamanashi Prefecture during the Warring States period. A renowned general known as the “Tiger of Kai.” Takeda Shingen was the surname of a warlord who governed Kai Province (present-day Yamanashi Prefecture) during the Warring States period (1467–1615). Not only for his military prowess, … Read More
Main Meaning of Uchiwa A tool used to fan oneself for cooling during summer or to shield against strong sunlight. Generally circular, though some have unique shapes like shibu-uchiwa, kyo-uchiwa, or gunbai-uchiwa. Introduced to Japan from China during the Nara period, its use among the imperial court and nobility is evident from Shosoin relics, … Read More
Name of one of Tokyo’s 23 wards A special ward located in the western part of Tokyo’s central area. It borders Shinjuku Ward to the east, Suginami Ward to the west, Nerima Ward to the north, and Shibuya Ward to the south. Centered around Nakano Station on the JR Chuo Line, it features a … Read More
This surname is commonly found in western Japan, particularly prevalent from the Kinki region to Kyushu. It likely originates from place names There were places named Matsumoto in various areas of Kagoshima and Miyazaki Prefectures, such as Ichinari Matsumoto in Kagoshima Prefecture’s Kagoshima City, Kiboku Town. Records also indicate samurai bearing the Matsumoto surname … Read More
Abbreviation for Yamanashi Prefecture Yamanashi Prefecture is located almost in the center of Japan. Its prefectural capital is Kofu. It has a basin-like topography, surrounded by many high mountains such as Mount Fuji, the Yatsugatake Mountains, and the Southern Alps. It borders Tokyo Metropolis, Kanagawa Prefecture, Shizuoka Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture, and Saitama Prefecture. The … Read More
Origin of the Domoto Surname The Domoto surname is believed to be derived from place names. It is said to be found in Hyogo Prefecture, Osaka Prefecture, and Wakayama Prefecture, with a distribution in Kitawada, Yamanami Town, Tanba City, Hyogo Prefecture. Surnames originating from place names are said to be very common in the … Read More
Kobayashi is the 9th most common Japanese surname. “Kobayashi” means a small forest, and there are forests that protect houses such as windbreaks and sandbreaks near the village. It is thought that it became a place name and the surname was used. There are some areas where Kobayashi is called “Obayashi”, and if you … Read More
Origin of “Takizawa” It is thought to derive from “a valley with a waterfall.” This stems from people living near a valley with flowing waterfalls adopting the place name “Takizawa,” which then became established as a surname and place name. Place Name Origin In the case of Takizawa City in Iwate Prefecture, it is … Read More
The Fujiwara surname is the ancestral root for about half of all Japanese people. There are approximately 280,000 people with the Fujiwara surname throughout Japan, equivalent to the population of Newark, New Jersey. While the Fujiwara surname’s share of 0.22% is not large, a notable point is that many surnames like Sato, Saito, Ito, … Read More