This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

Word

お百姓さん

おひゃくしょうさん
farmer
Word

易姓革命

えきせいかくめい
revolution (change of dynasty) decreed by Heaven when the incumbent emperor is found lacking in moral virtue (old Chinese political thought)
Word

氏素性

氏素姓
うじすじょう
(a person's) family background; lineage
Word

異姓

いせい
different surname; different family name
Word

下姓

げしょう
person of humble birth
Word

外姓

がいせい
mothers family name
Word

元姓

げんせい
former surname; original surname
Word

四姓

しせい
the four great families of the age (esp. the Minamoto clan, the Taira clan, the Fujiwara clan and the Tachibana clan); varna (each of the four Hindu castes)
Word

氏姓制度

しせいせいど
uji-kabane system; system of clans and hereditary titles (of the Yamato court)
Word

姓名判断

せいめいはんだん
fortunetelling based on writing or pronunciation of one's name