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Updated June 9, 2019

Family name origins & meanings

  • Japanese : ancient name meaning ‘lucky (or good) field’, taken from the scenic Yoshino region of southern Yamato (now Nara prefecture). It is also written with characters meaning ‘fragrant field’. Some bearers are descendants of Emperor Bidatsu (reigned 572–585), while others are of the Sato, Minamoto, Nitta, Kikuchi, and other noted families. It is listed in the Shinsen shōjiroku, and is found in eastern Japan and the island of Okinawa.

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