What’s In a Name? Part 21

On The Third Day of Fun I present... the newest addition in the first ever series! Since so many kanji have been covered over the years this feature only really gets updated during The Twelve Days of Fun, so I hope that you enjoy the new additions! Tama - 玉 Prefix or Suffix: Prefix Old Meaning: Treasure or Jewel New (Standardized) Meaning: Treasure or Jewel Found In: All Kagai A once popular kanji, its meaning is associated with both the finest jewels and royalty due to its resemblance to the kanji “王,“ meaning “Ruler.“ Examples 玉龍 Tamaryō (Gion Kobu, Kamishichiken, and Miyagawa Cho): “Dragon Treasure” - A special name that brings to mind the treasure orbs that Japanese dragons carry. 玉雄 Tamayū/Tamao (Gion Kobu and Gion Higashi): “Treasured Hero” - Two different pronunciations with one meaning harking back to the karyukai’s common use of masculine geimei. 玉枝 Tamae (Pontocho): “Jewelled Branch” - An interesting geimei as it possibly eludes to the story of Horai’s Gem Branch.  Tama - 珠 Prefix or Suffix: Suffix Old Meaning: Treasure or Jewel New (Standardized) Meaning: Treasure or Jewel Found In: Gion Kobu and Miyagawa Cho This kanji is actually fairly new on the scene as it’s a more out dated version of the other Tama. It’s used primarily for stroke count but also as a way of keeping old kanji alive. Examples 豆珠 Mametama (Gion Kobu): “Jewel or Treasured Bean” - An elegant name that’s quintessentially karyukai by mixing the popular “bean” with a regal kanji to elevate its status. ふく珠 Fukutama (Miyagawa Cho): “Lucky Jewel or Lucky Treasure” - A very auspicious name that also brings to mind cute, round things ^^      Sono - 苑 Prefix or Suffix: Suffix Old Meaning: Garden New (Standardized) Meaning: Garden Found In: Gion Kobu and Miyagawa Cho Another way to write previously covered kanji “園,” it’s also seen much newer use as it’s only been around since 2005. Examples 幸苑 Yukizono (Gion Kobu): “Blessed Garden” - A great geimei with hopes for the owner to grow into a great artist ^^ 富美苑 Fumisono (Miyagawa Cho): “Beautiful Wealthy Garden” - An elegant geimei that brings to mind the imperial gardens.