Why are eastern and western names so different in their derivations e.g. smith vs yugiri. Logograms? Norms as in the Genji where characters aren’t named?
Claude claims:
- State Structure Impact:
- Japan: Early centralized state with systematic name granting
- Most Japanese surnames relatively recent (Meiji era making them universal)
- Previously: surnames were privileges granted by authority
- Reflects top-down implementation vs organic evolution
- Names often tied to land rights/privileges when granted
- Class Structure:
- Europe: Names evolved from bottom-up identification needs
- Occupational/place names emerged organically for distinction
- Japanese names historically restricted to elite, then mass-granted
- When commoners got names, followed elite naming patterns (natural features/locations) rather than developing new conventions
- Cultural-Linguistic Environment:
- Kanji system allows/encourages poetic/symbolic meanings
- Western names developed in more pragmatic identification context
- Different metaphorical traditions (nature imagery vs direct description)
- Japanese names reflect court aesthetic traditions even when expanded to commoners
- Documentary Practices:
- Different state needs for identification
- Different religious recording systems
- Different inheritance/property systems requiring naming
- Japanese koseki system vs parish records
how do japanese names connect to the 老百姓 and why is there not a european equivalent? Seeing like a state notes