A Study of Japanese Names from the Heian Period to the Edo Period

Abstract

As a special cultural symbol, a name is not only an identifier of an individual’s identity, but also carries the social structure, cultural traditions and values of a specific era.This study focuses on the evolution of names in Japan from the Heian period (794-1185) to the Edo period (1603-1868). By sorting out the composition of names, naming rules and cultural connotations of social classes in different historical periods, it analyzes the intrinsic connection between name changes and social and political changes, economic development and cultural trends.This evolution process not only reflects the mobility and reconfi guration of social classes in Japan, but also showcases the unique development trajectory of Japanese culture under the influence of both local traditions and foreign influences.