Shadowings Part 10

_O-Sada_ "The Chaste."

_O-Sei_ "Truth."

_O-s.h.i.+n_ "Faith,"--in the sense of fidelity, trust.

_O-s.h.i.+zu_ "The Tranquil,"--calm-souled.

_O-Setsu_ "Fidelity,"--wifely virtue.

_O-Tame_ "For-the-sake-of,"--a name suggesting unselfishness.

_O-Tei_ "The Docile,"--in the meaning of virtuous obedience.

_O-Toku_ "Virtue."

_O-Tomo_ "The Friend,"--especially in the meaning of mate, companion.

_O-Tsune_ "Constancy."

_O-Yasu_ "The Amiable,"--gentle.

_O-Yos.h.i.+_ "The Good."

_O-Yos.h.i.+_ "The Respectful."

The next list will appear at first sight more heterogeneous than it really is. It contains a larger variety of appellations than the previous list; but nearly all of the _yobina_ refer to some good quality which the parents trust that the child will display, or to some future happiness which they hope that she will deserve. To the latter category belong such names of felicitation as _Miyo_ and _Masayo_.

MISCELLANEOUS NAMES EXPRESSING PERSONAL QUALITIES, OR PARENTAL HOPES

_O-Atsu_ "The Generous,"--liberal.

_O-Chika_ "Closely Dear."

_O-Chika_ "Thousand Rejoicings."

_O-Cho_ "The Long,"--probably in reference to life.

_O-Dai_ "Great."

_O-Den_ "Transmission,"--bequest from ancestors, tradition.

_O-e_ "Fortunate."

_O-Ei_ "Prosperity."

_O-En_ "Charm."

_O-En_ "Prolongation,"--of life.

_O-Etsu_ "Surpa.s.sing."

_O-Etsu_ "The Playful,"--merry, joyous.

_O-f.u.ku_ "Good Luck."

_O-Gen_ "Source,"--spring, fountain.

_O-Haya_ "The Quick,"--light, nimble.

_O-Hide_ "Superior."

_Hideyo_ "Superior Generations."

_O-Hiro_ "The Broad."

_O-Hisa_ "The Long." (?) _Isamu_ "The Vigorous,"--spirited, robust.

_O-Jin_ "Superexcellent."

_Kameyo_ "Generations-of-the-Tortoise."

_O-Kane_[50] "The Doubly-Accomplished."

[50] From the strange verb _kaneru_, signifying, to do two things at the same time.

_Kaoru_ "The Fragrant."

_O-Kata_ "Worthy Person."

_O-Katsu_ "The Victorious."

_O-Kei_ "Delight."

_O-Kei_ "The Respectful."

_O-Ken_ "The Humble."

_O-Kichi_ "The Fortunate."

_O-Kimi_ "The Sovereign,"--peerless.

_O-Kiwa_ "The Distinguished."

_O-Kiyo_ } {"The Clear,"--in the sense of _Kiyos.h.i.+_ } { bright, beautiful.

_O-Kuru_ "She-who-Comes" (?).[51]

[51] One is reminded of, "O whistle, and I'll come to you, my lad"--but no j.a.panese female name could have the implied signification. More probably the reference is to household obedience.

_O-Maru_ "The Round,"--plump.

_O-Masa_ "The Genteel."

_Masayo_ "Generations-of-the-Just."

_O-Masu_ "Increase."

_O-Mie_ "Triple Branch."

_O-Miki_ "Stem."

_O-Mio_ "Triple Cord."

_O-Mitsu_ "Abundance."

_O-Miwa_ "The Far-seeing."

_O-Miwa_ "Three Spokes" (?).[52]

[52] Such is the meaning of the characters. I cannot understand the name. A Buddhist explanation suggests itself; but there are few, if any, Buddhist _yobina_.

_O-Miyo_ "Beautiful Generations."

_Miyuki_[53] "Deep Snow."

[53] This beautiful name refers to the silence and calm following a heavy snowfall. But, even for the j.a.panese, it is an aesthetic name also--suggesting both tranquillity and beauty.

_O-Moto_ "Origin."

_O-Naka_ "Friends.h.i.+p."

_O-Rai_ "Trust."

_O-Raku_[54] "Pleasure."

[54] The name seems curious, in view of the common proverb, _Raku wa ku no tane_,--"Pleasure is the seed of pain."

_O-Sachi_ "Bliss."

_O-Sai_ "The Talented."

_Sakae_ "Prosperity."

_O-Saku_ "The Blooming."

_O-Sei_ "The Refined,"--in the sense of "clear."

_O-Sei_ "Force."

_O-Sen_ "Sennin,"--wood-fairy.

_O-s.h.i.+ge_ "Exuberant."

_O-s.h.i.+me_ "The Total,"--_summum bonum_.

_O-s.h.i.+n_ "The Fresh."

_O-s.h.i.+n_ "Truth."

_O-s.h.i.+na_ "Goods,"--possessions.

_s.h.i.+rus.h.i.+_ "Proof,"--evidence.

_O-s.h.i.+zu_ "The Humble."

_O-Sho_ "Truth."

_O-Shun_ "Excellence."

_O-Suki_ "The Beloved,"--_Aimee_.