We’re excited to introduce a new initiative to bring the stories behind Japanese surnames closer to you: a video series featuring two charming characters, Haruo and Hinako!

Most Japanese surnames are composed of two kanji characters, though some are just one or even three characters long. These two characters often carry profound meanings, and sometimes, surnames with the same pronunciation use entirely different kanji.

Haruo and Hinako will take you on a delightful journey to uncover these nuances and the fascinating stories behind them.

Haruo and Hinako hail from about 1,000 years ago, a period when surnames began to emerge in Japan. We chose this historical setting because it provides a rich backdrop to explore the origins of Japanese names. Plus, their traditional attire and hairstyles from the era are sure to captivate you with their charm and novelty.

In this video series, you’ll learn about the origins, meanings, and variations of Japanese surnames, all presented in an engaging and accessible way. Who knows? Your own surname might make an appearance in one of the episodes!

If you have a specific surname you’d like us to feature, we’d love to hear from you. Just drop us a note via the contact page, and we’ll add it to the queue. New episodes will be released regularly, so stay tuned.

Join Haruo and Hinako on their journey through history and language—it’s a trip you won’t want to miss!