Gushiken
Encyclopedia
Gushiken is a Japanese surname
of Okinawan (Ryukyu islands). Often takend to mean "strong willed" or "of firm determination", though literally Gu (具) - ingredients/utensil/means, Shi (志) - will/motive/bear in mind, Ken (堅) - hard/resolute/unyielding. This surname is unique among Japanese surnames in that it is one of the few that are composed of three kanji
characters, where most Japanese surnames are either composed of one or two kanji characters.
The Gushiken surname is one of many Samurai family names of the Okinawan warrior class (Okinawan samurai
, also known as Shizoku Pechin
). In recent history there have been some notable Gushiken who have excelled in martial arts, politics, sports, education, entertainment, etc.
Some members of former Samurai families began their migration from Okinawa in the early 20th century. Years earlier, in the late 19th century, government pensions to Samurai had been cancelled. Then, in 1920 Okinawa was hit hard by a major economic downturn, the price of cotton and silk fell by 70% in some areas and it was still recovering from a major epidemic that swept through the islands. Many in the warrior class found the adjustment difficult and left Okinawa to seek their fortunes in places like Hawaii, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, and California.
Japanese name
in modern times usually consist of a family name , followed by a given name. "Middle names" are not generally used.Japanese names are usually written in kanji, which are characters of usually Chinese origin in Japanese pronunciation...
of Okinawan (Ryukyu islands). Often takend to mean "strong willed" or "of firm determination", though literally Gu (具) - ingredients/utensil/means, Shi (志) - will/motive/bear in mind, Ken (堅) - hard/resolute/unyielding. This surname is unique among Japanese surnames in that it is one of the few that are composed of three kanji
Kanji
Kanji are the adopted logographic Chinese characters hanzi that are used in the modern Japanese writing system along with hiragana , katakana , Indo Arabic numerals, and the occasional use of the Latin alphabet...
characters, where most Japanese surnames are either composed of one or two kanji characters.
The Gushiken surname is one of many Samurai family names of the Okinawan warrior class (Okinawan samurai
Samurai
is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...
, also known as Shizoku Pechin
Pechin
The is an Okinawan term for the warrior class of the former Ryūkyū Kingdom , the class equivalent of the Japanese Samurai...
). In recent history there have been some notable Gushiken who have excelled in martial arts, politics, sports, education, entertainment, etc.
Some members of former Samurai families began their migration from Okinawa in the early 20th century. Years earlier, in the late 19th century, government pensions to Samurai had been cancelled. Then, in 1920 Okinawa was hit hard by a major economic downturn, the price of cotton and silk fell by 70% in some areas and it was still recovering from a major epidemic that swept through the islands. Many in the warrior class found the adjustment difficult and left Okinawa to seek their fortunes in places like Hawaii, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, and California.
See also
- Okinawan Samurai - PechinPechinThe is an Okinawan term for the warrior class of the former Ryūkyū Kingdom , the class equivalent of the Japanese Samurai...
- Yoko Gushiken (The Okinawan Eagle) WBA Jr. flyweight champion 1976-1981Yoko Gushikenwas a Ryukyuan professional boxer from 1974-1981. His professional record is 23-1 and he held the title of WBA Light Flyweight champion 1976-1981.-Biography:...
- Koji Gushiken 1984 Olympic AA ChampionKoji Gushikenwas an Olympic gymnast for Japan at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, where he won a total number of five medals, including two gold. Born November 12, 1956. He currently coaches other Olympic contenders.-References:* *...
- Luiz Gushiken (Brazilian Politician)Luiz GushikenLuiz Gushiken is a Brazilian activist and politician. He was formerly the head of the social communication office of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's administration, a position which carried a ministerial rank....
- Raymundo Gushiken Nakagawa (vice-president of the Consejo Estatal de Atención al Envejecimiento (Coesaen)
- Shintoku Gushiken President of the International Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate-do Seibukai Association
- Shijin Gushiken (1944 - 1994) Renowned Okinawan karate master, Okinawa, Japan
- Zensei Gushiken President of International Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate and Kobudo Federation