Here are a list of families and groups from the fiction Seishin (Pure Heart). Some of the names derive from actual sources about ninja and samurai, while others being completely fictional.
About Names in Seishin
Many last names are based on geographical areas in Japan (ie: Ueno, Togakure) or/and are generally based on nature (ie: Fujibayashi = rattan grove; Takayama = high mountain). Reputation and genealogy were important; originally, only those of the upper class, like Tokugawa and Oda, could have last names to pass down through the generations. Rural samurai exist in the ninja communities and a similar class system is used.
The first names' syllables can derive from ancestors or current family members (ie: Tadamasa, Iestsuna, Tsunamasa, Masamune, Terumune).[1]. First names also use common suffixes like maru (丸) and mon (門) for samurai men. For a prefix, there is "o" (お) for women, which seems to make the word polite (ie: Okaa-san = mother). Like with the character Tobuhime of Heroic Blaze SolAka, the word "hime" (meaning "princess") is used here and attached to the end of a girl's name. "Hime" also means "beautiful woman".[2]
There are characters with only first names, especially youths and those of lower class. In mostly fiction and historic speculation, some ninja contain names that are also nature-based [3] such as Kazekiri (風霧, wind fog), Kasumi (霞, rosy clouds), Genei (幻影, illusion shadow), Shigure (時雨, late fall rain) and Akakage (赤影, red shadow). There is a possibility that the names are aliases and reflects the characters.
Referring to the folklore characters Sasuke Sarutobi (Jumping monkey Sasuke) and Saizo Kirigakure (Saizo of Hidden Mist), their last names have a meaning to their character and there's little to no sources saying that they are from a region or derived from another family name or ancestor. There will be other examples.
Young men who become of age do change their names [4].
One Japanese particle that is not used during the narrative is no (の,ノ), which shows a connection or identity to a person's name and when they are from (ie: Soga no Umanko, Taira no Munekiyo). Even the below mentioned Shimotsuge ninja were originally called "Shimotsuge no Kizaru/Kozaru"[5] because Shimotsuge was a place in Iga. The change to this is by the author's personal choice. Sometimes the characters are referred to as which family they are from (ie: Shoutarou of Tsukimori [ Family]) or region, rather than using it as a last name.
Iga Province
Families
- Tsukimori (月森)
- The Tsukimori is a fictional ninja family of Iga. They were formed in Iga district from the Ayama-based Fujibayashi family. Around the Tsuge area, they live in a deep forest trimming the northern mountain border.
- Hattori (服部)
- A popular family of Iga with many branches, but it's the main family of the central Ueno area that has four popular figures consecutively named Hattori Hanzo. The Hattori have initially served the Matsudaira family since the 16th century.
- Fujibayashi (藤林)
- A family of Iga that resides in northeastern Yufune, Ayama district. One of the upper echelon, who is mainly referred to as "Lord Fujibiyashi", is from this family. The Fujibayashi are known for their Lord's leadership and writing skills.
- Momochi (百地)
- A principle family in Nabari area, famous for one of the upper echelon Tanba Momochi.
- Ueno (上野)
- Few members were grandmasters (soke) of Togakure
- Tokitsu (土岐津)
- Not a family of Iga per se, but a former family of Mino Province known for their merchants and tea services.
- Sugitani (杉谷)
- Family of Koka ninja Zenjubo Sugitani (杉谷 善住坊), descent of the Ooe, who were an ancient "ninja" (Akuto) family.
- Kido (城戸)
- Family of Kido Yazaemon (城戸弥左衛門).
- Tanguchi-Kido
- Family of Yoshizo, possible branch of Kido.
- Sawada (沢田)
- Soga (曽我一族)
- Takayama (高山)
- Family with members Taroshiro and Tarozaemon (Father and son). Named after home district in Ueno.
- Fukuchi (福地氏)
- Shimotsuge (下柘植)
- Iga Family of Kizaru and Kozaru, which apparently only consist of the siblings. Shimotsuge is originally a location.
- Sawamura (沢村)
- Yamada
Groups
- (伊賀惣国一揆) Sources state that this is the independent organization that fought and was destroyed in the Iga Tenshō Revolt (天正伊賀の乱, Tenshō Iga no Ran). In Seishin, it is a twelve-member group that governs Iga. Originally formed as a popular riot group to fend off intruders, thus they make up of the Iga Province's finest leading figures and soldiers. Their base is at the Heirakuji temple in Ueno.
Shimagahara-tou
- (島ヶ原党) A Iga ninja group from Shimagahara region. The people here lived since the Nanboku-chō period and fought for the Southern Court when the civil battles entered their territory. They tend to Sika deer and they used to give wood to the Todai-ji (temple), which they guarded, as tax. Their symbol is a Chrysanthemum throne flag and a sword given to them by Emperor Go-Daigo (Daigo II).
Omi Province (Koga)
Families
- Mochizuki (望月)
- The Mochizuki is a ninja family of Koka Region.
- Kosaka
- Akutagawa (芥川)
- Kitayama
- Sachi (佐治)
- Nagano
- Naiki
- Ueno
- Strongly connected to Iga.
- Sugitani
- ?
- Ban (伴)
- Kashiwagi (柏木)
- Uji
Groups
- Sō
- The Sō is short for sōsen (惣村)[6]. It seems to be a form of leadership for equality (solidarity).
- Yosakura
- [[1]]
- (甲賀組; Koga Team) A group of Koga ninja serving the Tokugawa Shogunate. They are well-known for participating in the Shimabara Rebellion.
Sagami Province
Families
- Kazama
- Info later
Others
- Sanada Ten Braves
- The Sanada Ten Braves (真田十勇士, Sanada Jūyūshi) are a powerful group of ninja under Yukimura Sanada
- Renhōkenshū (Lotus Sword Law clan)
- (蓮法剣 宗) Called the "Renho" or "Renken Brothers" for short. A team of ronin that follow Nichiren Shōshū Buddhism. They formed in the late 1540s.
- ???
- Kai Province group founded by Shingen Takeda during his last years. They are lead and trained by Chiyome Mochizuki.
References