Oh,I see ... thanks for the spelling correction.Originally Posted by epigene
If you mean 五十嵐 , it's read " Igarashi ".
My maiden name is an unusual three-character name, but I'm not telling...
There is one very interesting four-character Japanese surname literally means August 1,written as " 8 month 1 day " in Kanji.The site where I spotted it has no translation,I like to know how it's written in Romanji.
Last edited by ricecake; Aug 31, 2006 at 06:00.
There are 3 variations to read 八月一日 which, if not a name, is read "hachigatsu tsuitachi"Oh,I see ... thanks for the spelling correction.
There is one very interesting four-character Japanese surname literally means August 1,written as " 8 month 1 day " in Kanji.The site where I spotted it has no translation,I like to know how it's written in Romanji.
(a) Hassaku
(b) Hozumi
(c) Yabumi
Source: http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~suzakihp/index40.html
Your time is appreciated
What's the explanation for the spelling variables,different pronounciation in regional Japanese dialects ?
I can't explain it,all those 3 and 4 character Japanese surnames fascinate me.We have several compound surnames,either belong to our nomadic brethren or have origin of court official ranking in ancient times.
I think the reading "Hassaku" comes from 八朔 which is the first day of August in the lunar calendar (I think), which is a special day for festivities praying for a good harvest. It is also the name of a citrus fruit grown in Hiroshima (probably because it ripens around that period?).Your time is appreciated
What's the explanation for the spelling variables,different pronounciation in regional Japanese dialects ?
I can't explain it,all those 3 and 4 character Japanese surnames fascinate me.We have several compound surnames,either belong to our nomadic brethren or have origin of court official ranking in ancient times.
"Hozumi" I have read somewhere that it probably comes from 穂＋摘む , meaning "picking ears" of rice, which probably started around lunar Aug. 1.
"Yazumi" I can only guess is a variation of "Hozumi" because the kanji 八 can be read "ya".
There are books on the history of Japanese names if you go to Japanese bookstores, but I've never read them. From what I know, some are aristocratic names linked to the Imperial family, some are of samurai origin, and many are names derived from geographical locations and localities, such as names of regions or descriptions like "middle of rice field," "on the sunny side of a certain mountain," etc.
Good,I now have you confirmed there are published Japanese books on history of Japanese surnames available on commercial market.There is one Kinokuniya bookstore in the area,I can go there check it out if one in stock.
My 600-page Chinese language copy on " Chinese common family names " has zero reference to Japanese or cross-reference to Japanese as a source or origin,however ton load of entries for ancient northern Nomadic hordes and Korean plus other Asia continental indigenous peoples on certain Chinese surnames adopted by them or trans-literated or chopped-off version of original multi-syllabic tribal names,etc.
Once again,thanks for taking the time answered my questions.
Last edited by ricecake; Sep 3, 2006 at 07:18.
Well, I meant "Japanese" books--meaning in the Japanese language. I've never seen anything comprehensive written in English.
As long as those Japanese surnames and references are written in Kanji,I should do ok.Well,I will make a trip to Kinokuniya and flip through the pages myself see if I can comprehend it.
One local bookstore I frequent has good supplier sources in Taiwan,I can have the owner special order it for me if there is a Chinese translated version which I doubt it.
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