ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 3001
http://www.s-gabriel.org/3001
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3 Apr 2005
From: Aryanhwy merch Catmael (no address)

Greetings from the Academy of S. Gabriel!

You asked if we could suggest Japanese feminine names beginning with
<Hi> or <Ko> that were used between 1550 and 1600.  Here is what we
have found.

We found three women's names beginning with <Hi> or <Ko> in your
period: [1]

  Hisauji (1572)   \hee-sah-oo-djee\
  Koma (1572)      \koh-mah\
  Koneneme (1572)  \koh-neh-neh-meh\

In case you'd like a larger selection of names to chose from, we
compiled a list of feminine names found in the Muromachi period, from
1336-1573: [1]

  Acha
  Achacha
  Ai
  Aki
  Ako
  Ane
  Asahi
  Aya
  Hajime
  Hamimeme
  Harukiri
  Hisauji
  Iha
  Ima
  Inuwaka
  Ishi
  Itoito
  Itsui
  Itsuitsu
  Iwa
  Kiku
  Kinu
  Koma
  Koneneme
  Kure
  Kuri
  Ma
  Mama
  Mememe
  Mimi
  Mitsu
  Momo
  Momoe
  Murasaki
  Musu
  Mutsu
  Nabe
  Nana
  Narime
  Natsu
  Nei
  Neneme
  Raku
  Sakami
  Sakuma
  Sayo
  Sen
  Shiro
  Sue
  Suzu
  Tahe
  Tatsuko
  Tei
  Tomiko
  Tomoe
  Tora
  Toto
  Totome
  Toyome
  Tsuma
  Ukon
  Uma
  Uta
  Yamabukime
  Yasu
  Yaya

We don't have a clear picture of what types of bynames were used by
women in the 16th century.  We believe that for buke women of this
period, one appropriate construction is <family name> + <given name>.
(The buke were the warrior caste of medieval Japan, roughly minor
nobility).  If you can tell us a particular letter or sound that
interests you, we can come up with a list of family names in use in
the 16th century that would be appropriate.

We hope that this letter has been useful to you and that you won't
hesitate to write us again if you have further questions.  Research
and commentary on this letter was provided by Arval Benicoeur, Gerita
del Mere, Mari neyn Brian, Talan Gwynek, Solveig Throndardottir, and
Adelaide de Beaumont.

For the Academy,

-Aryanhwy merch Catmael, 03 April 2005

--
References:

[1] Solveig Throndardottir, _Name Construction in Mediaeval Japan_
(Carlsbad, N. Mex.: The Outlaw Press, 1994; Potboiler Press, 1999 [Box
30171, Columbia, MO 65205])