48 How Many "Sasuke" Were There Back Then: The Historical Origins of Japanese Names
Emon, Uemon, Tokubei, Sasuke, Kojiro... These Japanese "names" are not uncommon in various literary and artistic works. They occasionally appear in novels, TV dramas, or anime. Although all are written in Chinese characters, a single glance reveals them to be "foreign surnames, other people's given names," which differ greatly from Chinese conventions. So-called "conventions" mean that while personal names seem "used daily without conscious awareness," they often conceal the history, culture, and memory of a specific region or group behind their symbols. If examined closely, there is always a surprising side. For instance, when Japanese names like "Inukai," "Abiko," or "Inokuchi" are mentioned, we often smile wryly, looking utterly bewildered. Clearly, for us Chinese, Japanese "names" are both familiar and unfamiliar.
Original Chinese title & description
48 “佐助”当年何其多：日本人姓名的历史源流
左卫门、右卫门、德兵卫、佐助、小次郎……这些日本的“姓名”在各类文艺作品中并不稀奇。它们时而出现在小说、电视剧又或是动漫之中。虽都以汉字表记，但只一眼我们便可知是“外人之姓，他人之名”，与我们中国人的习惯大有不同。而所谓“习惯”，便是人名看似“日用而不知”，却往往在符号背后隐藏着某个地区、某个群体的历史、文化和记忆。若仔细探查，总会存在另人惊奇的一面。譬如只要提到“犬养、我孙子、猪口”这样的日本人名，我们又会莞尔一笑，一副大惑不解的模样。显然，我们中国人来说，日本人的“姓名”既熟悉，又陌生。
Participation credit “本期参与者”：沙青青 AKA 淮海中路串台王（微信公众号：13号埋立地、小红书：Sha-13号埋立地）。
Original episode page ↗