千葉を中心とした豪雨被害、友人知人からは特段の報せはないものの、まことに近年の気候変動の猛威を物語る痛ましい事態。被害にあわれたみなさまに心からお見舞い申し上げます。
　写真のレーダー画面が示す激しい雨雲の群れ。千葉で起こった災害は、いつどこで発生してもおかしくない。常に自然災害の危険と隣り合わせの日本列島、その凶暴化の度合いは年々増しているのが実感。
　そうした中、今回の報道を見ていて個人的に考えさせられたのが「車両保険」に関するニュース。一昨日あたりから「被災車両の多くが未加入、車両保険の加入率は５割程度」といった報道が相次いだ。「え、そんなに保険に入っていないの？」と一瞬驚かされたが、どうもこの「車両保険５割」という言葉には、報道に不可欠な「詳細な注釈」が欠落しているのではないかと思えたのだった。
　自動車保険は、法律で義務付けられた「自賠責保険（強制保険）」と、補償内容を自由に選ぶ「任意保険」の二層構造。今回ニュースで語られているのは、任意保険の中のさらにオプションである「車両保険（特に冠水・水災事故をカバーする補償特約）」の付帯率のことのようだ。対人・対物などの任意保険自体には多くのユーザーが加入しているけれど、自身の車体を守る車両保険は保険料も跳ね上がるため付帯率は約５割にとどまるというのが実相だと思う。
　「車両保険に入っていない」という大ざっぱな表現だけでは、あたかもユーザーが無保険のまま無謀に車を走らせているような誤解を与えかねない。さらに言えば、車両保険に加入していても「免責金額（自己負担分）」の設定や、補償範囲の選択によって受け取れる保険金は多様。わが家のクルマの保険内容でも５万円の自己負担枠があるようにユーザー個々の選択は多岐にわたるのが一般的。
　報道は「ローンだけが残り、修理も移動もできなくてかわいそう」といった感情的な側面訴求に終始していたが、保険制度の仕組みや選択肢の多様性についての総合的な説明が不足で、ただ不安と恐怖心ばかりを煽っているように感じられた。
　これまでの気象常識を超えた巨大災害が頻発する現代だけれど、固定費を抑えるため簡易でコスパの良い保険を選択してきたユーザーの判断は、至極自然だと思える。メディアは単なる情緒的報道にとどまらず、制度の正確な詳細を提示してと切に願う。
　今回の痛ましい出来事が激甚化する災害に備えた私たち一人ひとりのリスク管理や保険内容の冷静な見直しへと繋がることを祈念します。

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English version⬇

[Vehicle Insurance: The Discomfort of the “50% Coverage Rate” Report]
Wait, for a split second I thought, “Not that many people have insurance?” But I think the actual point is that 50% of policyholders have insurance that “covers water-related incidents as well.” Hmm…

　The torrential rain damage centered on Chiba—while I haven’t heard anything specific from friends or acquaintances—is a truly heartbreaking situation that speaks volumes about the ferocity of climate change in recent years. I offer my heartfelt sympathies to all those affected.
The radar image in the photo shows a cluster of intense rain clouds. The disaster that struck Chiba is the kind that could happen anywhere at any time. Living on the Japanese archipelago, where we are constantly at risk of natural disasters, I can really feel that the severity of these events is increasing year by year.
　Amidst all this, what personally caught my attention while watching the news coverage was a report regarding “vehicle insurance.” Starting around the day before yesterday, there was a flurry of reports stating things like, “Many of the damaged vehicles were uninsured, and the vehicle insurance coverage rate is only about 50 percent.” I was momentarily surprised—“What, that few people have insurance?”—but it struck me that the phrase “50 percent vehicle insurance coverage” seemed to be missing the “detailed context” that is essential to any news report.
　Automobile insurance has a two-tier structure: “compulsory liability insurance” (mandated by law) and “voluntary insurance,” where policyholders can freely choose their coverage. What the news is discussing here appears to be the uptake rate of “vehicle insurance” (specifically, coverage riders that protect against flooding and water damage)—an optional add-on within voluntary insurance. While many users have voluntary insurance covering bodily injury and property damage, the reality is that the uptake rate for vehicle insurance—which protects the vehicle itself—remains at around 50 percent because premiums for it skyrocket.
　Using only the vague phrase “not enrolled in vehicle insurance” risks creating the misconception that users are recklessly driving without any insurance at all. Furthermore, even for those with vehicle insurance, the amount of insurance payout varies depending on the “deductible” (the portion the policyholder must pay out of pocket) and the scope of coverage selected. As evidenced by my own family’s car insurance policy, which includes a 50,000-yen deductible, it is common for individual users to have a wide range of choices.
　While the media coverage focused entirely on emotional appeals—such as “It’s so sad that they’re left with only the loan, unable to repair or drive the car”—it lacked a comprehensive explanation of how the insurance system works and the variety of available options, leaving the impression that it was merely stoking anxiety and fear.
　In today’s world, where massive disasters that defy conventional meteorological wisdom occur frequently, it seems perfectly natural for users to have chosen simple, cost-effective insurance policies to keep their fixed expenses down. I earnestly hope that the media will go beyond mere emotional reporting and present accurate details about the system.
　I pray that this tragic incident will lead each of us to calmly review our risk management strategies and insurance coverage in preparation for increasingly severe disasters.

● Announcement
My book, “Writers and Living Spaces,” has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.

Posted on 8月 19th, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
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　ある表現作品を最終的には目指している「家系史探究」。
　人間が文章などで表現を目指す大きな「心理要因」は、基本的に人間への尽きせぬ興味の探究ということだと思います。いろいろな「生き様・死に様」の多様性・輻輳ぶりから伝わってくる「残響」。文学者・作家たちの告白を読み聞いても、そういう動機・思いが強いと感じる。
　ビジネスの世界から徐々にこういう「表現」の世界に導かれてくると、結局人間のやってきたことへの探究心が最大の起動要素だと深く思い至るのですね。そういう意味で一般人としていちばん「わかりやすい」のは、自分のDNAに直接関わる先人の足跡。
　で、こういった足跡探査のもっとも１次資料は「戸籍簿」の類い。
　いくつもある戸籍謄本とにらめっこする時間が増えてくる。まぁデジタル画像化することで整理整頓は比較的ラクにはなってくるけれど、ときどき「意味内容」で立ち止まる瞬間もある。上の戸籍の「一部」からの造作写真は、ある先人の「隠居届出」の表記部分。現代で「隠居」という人生局面表記があるのかどうか、それが公的機関で「認証」され登録されることがらなのか？、と立ち止まらされた次第。
　この遠縁の家系の人物は、自分の人生に「ひと区切り」付けたいと考えて役所に届け出たのでしょう。家制度上からの「責任感」を終えたい心理かと。自分事として考えると現代人は健康面のことも含め、もうちょっと「前向き」で、死に臨んでも前のめりで倒れたい、みたいな心理が大きいと思う。生涯現役感。そういう思いの落差に気付かされる。この人物の事跡をあれこれ知るほどに、重層的な気分がしてくる。
　一方、血縁者が送ってくれた情報写真で遠縁の墓域情報も寄せられた。実は墓の墓碑銘までも送っていただけて、その碑文写真を最新の「画像解析」で分析し、120-30年前の肉親・血縁の女性の「生々しい叫び声」のようなものと突然めぐり会えてしまった・・・。
　あまりの「邂逅」感で、ちょっとこころが揺り動かされていた。彼女はどのような人生を、どのような地域空間で生き抜き、そして眠っていったのかが残響して来たのです。大きく時代は移り変わってきたけれど、少なくとも「場所・空間」は追体験できる余地がある。
　月末にこの地を探訪予定ですが、前奏曲のようなものとして波動してきた・・・。

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English version⬇

[“Brain Training” in Old Age? (lol) Deciphering Tombstone Inscriptions & Family Registers]
I wonder if modern people even have the concept of “retirement”? I gain insight into the sense of responsibility tied to the family system through family registers. Furthermore, the “thoughts” of our ancestors seem to radiate from their tombstone inscriptions…

　“Exploring Family History” is ultimately the goal of a certain creative work.
I believe the major “psychological factor” that drives people to express themselves through writing and other means is, fundamentally, the pursuit of an insatiable curiosity about humanity. It’s the “echo” that resonates from the diversity and complexity of the various ways people live and die. Even when reading the confessions of literary figures and writers, I sense that this motivation and sentiment run deep.
　As I’ve gradually been drawn from the business world into this realm of “expression,” I’ve come to deeply realize that, ultimately, the curiosity to explore what humans have done is the greatest driving force. In that sense, the most “accessible” subject for the average person is the footprints of our ancestors, which are directly linked to our own DNA.
　And the most primary source material for this kind of footprint exploration is the “family register” and similar documents.
　I find myself spending more and more time poring over the numerous copies of family registers. Well, digitizing them does make organizing them relatively easier, but there are moments when I pause to reflect on their “meaning.” The photo above, taken from a “portion” of a family register, shows the section where an ancestor filed a “notification of retirement.” I found myself pausing to wonder: Is there even such a life stage designation as “retirement” in modern times? And is this something that gets “certified” and registered by a public agency?
　This distant relative probably filed a notification with the local government because he wanted to draw a “line” under his life. I suspect it stemmed from a desire to put an end to the “sense of responsibility” imposed by the traditional family system. When I think about it from my own perspective, I believe modern people—including when it comes to health—tend to be a bit more “forward-looking”; there’s a strong mindset of wanting to fall forward, even in the face of death. A sense of staying active throughout one’s life. I’m struck by the contrast between these two mindsets. The more I learn about this person’s life, the more complex my feelings become.
Meanwhile, a relative sent me some photos along with information about the grave site of this distant relative. In fact, they even sent me a photo of the tombstone’s inscription. When I analyzed that image using the latest “image analysis” technology, I suddenly came face-to-face with what felt like the “vivid cry” of a female relative who had lived 120 to 30 years ago…
　The sheer sense of this “encounter” shook me to the core. The echoes of what kind of life she lived, in what kind of geographical space, and how she eventually passed away continued to resonate within me. Although the times have changed dramatically, there is at least room to relive the “place and space” she inhabited.
　I plan to visit this area at the end of the month, but this experience has been rippling through me like a prelude…

● Announcement
My book, *Writers and Living Spaces*, has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.

Posted on 8月 17th, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
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　写真は大分県杵築市の「杵築城」周辺の武家屋敷の庭のたたずまい。臨池式庭園の「格式高い」庭を愛でることが住空間としての最大着目点だったと思える造作の住宅。
　庭はたしかにその地域の自然を知る・楽しむ大きな装置であることはまったくその通りだと思う。異論は無いけれど、しかしわたしは北海道の冬の積雪状況を知った札幌人。冬になると雪山に覆われ、庭の視覚的楽しみはまったく消滅する気候環境のなかで生きてきた。
　まずなにより冬の寒さという最大障壁をどうするのか、が住宅建設の最大関心事。庭を愛でるという要素は精神生活上でもウェートは低い。高級住宅で「庭への目線」を重視した住宅を取材で冬に見ることもあった。
　当然、庭の様子を最大の楽しみに広い縁側・開放的開口部を持つ室内からの視線が、屋根からの落雪がうずたかくその視線を遮る期間が３−４ヶ月にもなる。そんな家が「高級住宅のステータス」だとは、どうしても思えなかった。
　３−４ヶ月の喪失忍耐期間のうえ愛でるための用意期間が１−２ヶ月とすれば、ほぼ半年は苦役の時間。
　こういう住宅では室内空間からの視線的快感の「眺め」が最重視される。北海道ではそんな「楽しみ」は吹きすさぶ寒風ブリザードの襲来で吹っ飛んでいく。
　実際、住み手の方からも「まぁ冬はこんなもんですけどね・・・」というため息交じりの感想を聞くことが多かった。やはり「庭が最高の高級住宅の条件」という価値観は持ちにくいのが北国人。
　一方で周囲の環境は広大で野趣に満ちた大自然環境が展開していて、その圧倒的美感からは、強烈な刺激を受け続けてきた。それには庭程度は敵いようがない。
　そういう太刀打ちできない美感に対して、相対的に圧倒的に狭い自分の敷地のなかの庭を重視するという心理はほぼ無かった。だいたい、冬囲いやら樹木の枝の養生を考えるようなことはやっていられないのが普通の感覚。
　それに対して本州地域の「武家住宅」ではこれ見よがしにドヤ顔で臨池式回遊庭園が最大の趣味関心事として提示されている。もちろんそういう文化伝統には敬意を持つけれど、彼我の極端な環境の違いに醒めた目線になる。
　立派なお庭ですね、すごいなぁ・・・と。
　しかし、その上で寒冷地ニッポン人の異次元の庭文化を密かに心待ちしてもいる。

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English version⬇

[Is “appreciating the garden” really the mainstream of Japanese home culture?]
As someone from a cold region who’s had to spend nearly half a year feeling left out, I find it hard to wholeheartedly agree with this part… (sob).

　The photo shows the ambiance of the gardens at samurai residences surrounding “Kitsuki Castle” in Kitsuki City, Oita Prefecture. This custom-built home seems to have been designed with the primary focus on appreciating the “distinguished” beauty of the pond-style garden as a living space.
　I completely agree that a garden is indeed a major means of understanding and enjoying the nature of the region. I have no objection to that, but I am a Sapporo native who knows firsthand the snow conditions of Hokkaido winters. I have lived in a climate where, come winter, the landscape is blanketed by snow, and the visual pleasure of a garden vanishes entirely.
　First and foremost, the biggest concern in home construction is how to deal with the greatest obstacle: the winter cold. The element of appreciating the garden carries little weight in my spiritual life. I have occasionally visited luxury homes during winter for reporting purposes that emphasized “views of the garden.”
　Naturally, in homes designed to make the garden the greatest source of enjoyment—with spacious engawa and open interior spaces offering views of the outdoors—snow piling up from the roof blocks that view for as long as three to four months. I simply could not bring myself to believe that such a house represented the “status of a high-end home.”
　If you consider the three- to four-month period of endurance followed by a one- to two-month period of preparation to appreciate the garden, nearly half a year is spent in hardship.
　In homes like this, the visual pleasure of the “view” from the interior space is given the highest priority. In Hokkaido, however, such “pleasure” is blown away by the onslaught of howling cold winds and blizzards.
　In fact, I often heard residents sigh and remark, “Well, that’s just how it is in winter…” Indeed, it’s difficult for people in the northern regions to embrace the value that “a garden is the ultimate criterion for a luxury home.”
　On the other hand, the surrounding landscape unfolds as a vast, wild natural environment, and I have been constantly inspired by its overwhelming beauty. A mere garden simply cannot compete with that.
　Faced with such unrivaled beauty, there was virtually no psychological inclination to place importance on the garden within my own, relatively tiny plot of land. Generally speaking, it’s only natural not to have the time or inclination to worry about winter protection for plants or pruning tree branches.
　In contrast, in the “samurai residences” of Honshu, strolling gardens with a pond are presented—almost ostentatiously—as the greatest hobby and passion. Of course, I have respect for such cultural traditions, but I view the extreme difference in our environments with a sober eye.
“What a magnificent garden—it’s amazing…”
However, even so, I secretly look forward to the garden culture of cold-climate Japanese people, which exists on a whole different level.

● Announcement
My book, *Writers and Living Spaces*, has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.

Posted on 8月 15th, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
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　昨日のブログ、こどもの本の森に感想が寄せられました。建築家・安藤忠雄の寄贈であることは触れませんでしたが、その設計「本意」はまっすぐに伝わってきていました。孫が「オレ、安藤忠雄って建築家のこどもへのやさしさ、体験してきているぜ！」と話すようになるのではと想像していました（笑）。
　
　で、昨日はついに朝から30度を超える気温に包まれた札幌。
　こういうときは緑の中の「木陰」つたいに歩くのが快適と考えて、散歩コースの中でもいちばん「緑化率」の高い西野緑道コースを選択。カミさんもその前日から「ちょっと行こうかな」とのことだったので、昨日も同行。
　わたし的には30度超えとは言っても、木陰のクールダウンポイントを伝い歩きするのが、それはそれで楽しいのですが、カミさんは早々にキャンセルして乗ってきたクルマに戻って、エアコン環境へ帰還。
　いたわりつつも、わたしはめげずにトータル8,000歩強、１時間半ほどの散策へ。
　その後、１日トータルではほぼ通常ペースで、11,586歩を元気に歩いておりました。
　やはり蒸暑の木々のなかを歩くと、いかにも天国に近づいているような想念がアタマのなかに盛り上がる。ナナカマドはすでに色づきはじめていて、この蒸暑の先には一気にクールダウンする季節が顔を覗かせてくれている。
　しかし毎日1万歩超のわたしでも、さすがにこれくらいの気温環境では、すこし休憩したくなって途中のベンチで、しばし蒼天の空を仰ぎ見ておりました。木々を超えた真夏の空の重い青が蠱惑的に感じられる。
　クルマに戻ったら、エアコンのなかで元気回復のカミさんが笑顔。まぁムリせず、ですね。
　その後、本日のお盆墓参り〜親族での焼き肉パーティ用の大量食料買いだしで、お店４箇所をグルグル。お店とお店の間では散歩歩数をふたたび稼ぐこともできたわたしですが、カミさんはお店のエアコンのなかで元気いっぱいにあれこれと元気に「買い出し」を満喫しておりました。大量荷物運搬でわたしはふたたび歩数追加ゲット。
　ということですが、日頃の散歩習慣のおかげでピンピン状態の維持が続いております。
　天国に一番近い，北国の真夏、たのしく乗りきりたいですね。

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English version⬇

[A Brisk Walk Surrounded by Greenery with a High of 33 Degrees]
After all, the midsummer in the northern regions—where it’s hot but “dry”—is the closest thing to heaven. I’m completely enchanted by the heat, the light breeze, and the message from the greenery. …

　I received some feedback on yesterday’s blog post about the Children’s Book Forest. Although I didn’t mention that it was a donation from architect Tadao Ando, the “true intent” behind his design came across clearly. I found myself imagining my grandson one day saying, “Man, I’ve actually experienced the kindness that architect Tadao Ando has for kids!” (laughs).
　
　So, yesterday, Sapporo was finally enveloped in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees from the morning onward.
　I figured that on days like this, it’s most comfortable to walk along the “shade of the trees” amidst the greenery, so I chose the Nishino Greenway course—the one with the highest “greenery coverage” among my walking routes. My wife had been saying since the day before, “Maybe I’ll go for a bit,” so she joined me again yesterday.
　Personally, even though it was over 30 degrees, I actually enjoy walking along the cooling spots in the shade—but my wife called it quits early and headed back to the car we’d driven there, returning to the comfort of the air conditioning.
　While being considerate of her, I didn’t let it get me down and continued on my own for a stroll of just over 8,000 steps, lasting about an hour and a half.
　After that, I walked briskly at my usual pace for the rest of the day, racking up a total of 11,586 steps.
　As always, walking through the muggy, green trees fills my mind with the feeling that I’m getting closer to heaven. The mountain ash trees were already beginning to change color, and beyond this muggy heat, the season of sudden cooling was peeking through.
　However, even for someone like me who walks over 10,000 steps every day, at temperatures like this, I naturally felt the need for a short break, so I sat on a bench along the way and gazed up at the azure sky for a while. The heavy blue of the midsummer sky stretching beyond the trees felt mesmerizing.
　When I got back to the car, my wife was smiling, having regained her energy in the air-conditioned cabin. Well, no need to push it, I suppose.
　After that, for today’s Obon grave visit and to stock up on a massive amount of food for a family barbecue, we drove around to four different stores. While I was able to rack up more steps by walking between stores, my wife was full of energy, happily “shopping” for all sorts of things inside the air-conditioned stores. Carrying all that heavy shopping, I racked up even more steps.
　That said, thanks to my daily walking routine, I’m still going strong.
　I want to enjoy this midsummer in the northern lands—the place closest to heaven—to the fullest.

● Announcement
My book, “Writers and Living Spaces,” has been published as an e-book by Gentosha.
Available on Amazon.

Posted on 8月 13th, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
Filed under: 未分類 | No Comments »

　家系史の探究について、昨日までで直近の重要地域・文献調査が一段落。
　江戸期の「宿駅」間の経済交流の実態を調査確認するのに岡山県「井原市史」を読解してきていますが、必要箇所についてはおおむね確認作業が完了。これから分析作業になるところ。わが家系は、山陽道の宿駅として尾道の東隣の「今津」が故地。その地域産業「松永塩田」に依拠した経済活動で江戸後期を生きていた。
　山陽道の宿駅として東隣に「神辺」があり、その先に岡山藩領の「井原」。その地の有力家と人脈コネクションを形成してきていた。
　作業としては順調に推移しているのですが、どうしても引っかかっているのが地名。
　この井原は「後月」という明治以降の郡名地域。
　資料でなんどもこの郡名が出てくるのですがまったく馴染めない（泣）。人間は読みがアタマのなかで残響して、馴染み感覚が生起してモノゴトの整理整頓がついていくのだと思う。
　しかしこの「後月」の読みが「しつき」だとわかってからも、どうも残響してくれない。
　さっぱり現場感・馴染みが持てないのです。家系史ではこの地域の人びととの関係が幕末から明治以降、非常に大きなポイントになる地域なのにであります。わたしの祖母の「生地」でもありその家系伝承の掘り起こしは最重要。なので近々この地を探訪予定でもあります。
　「後」という字を「しり」と読む北海道の「後志〜後方羊蹄〜しりべし」という地名もあるので、まったくわからないではないのです。日本語古語としてそのような「読み方」はあったのでしょう。
　AIの「後月〜しつき」読みについての解説は以下。
　〜名前の由来と歴史
　1.先進地域として渡来人や古代の職業集団（部民）が定住した古代・吉備国は、朝鮮に近い瀬戸内の海上交通の要所。優れた技術を持つ渡来系集団が多く移り住んだ。朝廷に仕える職能集団も多く配置されたため、彼らの言葉や集団名に漢字を当てた結果、独特の地名が残った。
　2.「好字二字化」による強引な漢字の当てはめ。奈良時代、元明天皇の命により「地名には漢字2文字で縁起の良い文字（好字）を使え」というルール（風土記編纂の詔）が出された。これにより「しつき（足次）」地名に対し、意味を無視して強引に「後月」の2文字が割り振られた。現代人がパッと見で読めない地名が誕生した。
　3.古代の言葉の「発音の変化」　何千年も前の「古代日本語の響き」がなまり変化した結果、漢字本来の読み方からかけ離れてしまったケース。〜〜
　まぁ、郷に入らば従え。なんとか習慣化したい。え〜っと「しつき」か・・・。

　
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English version⬇
　
[“Shitsuki” District, Okayama Prefecture—Can You Pronounce This Place Name?]
First of all, I can’t pronounce it (lol). Apparently, it’s “Shitsuki.” It just doesn’t stick in my head. It doesn’t click. I’m planning to visit there soon. I’m going to get used to it! …

　Regarding my genealogical research, I’ve just wrapped up the most recent phase of fieldwork and literature review as of yesterday.
　I’ve been studying the *History of Ibara City* in Okayama Prefecture to investigate and verify the actual state of economic exchange between “post stations” during the Edo period, and I’ve largely completed the verification process for the relevant sections. Now it’s time to move on to the analysis phase. My family’s ancestral home is “Imazu,” located east of Onomichi, which served as a post station on the Sanyo Road. During the late Edo period, our family sustained itself through economic activities centered on the local industry, the “Matsunaga Salt Fields.”
　To the east of Imazu along the Sanyo Road was “Kannabe,” and beyond that lay “Ibara,” part of the Okayama Domain. We had established connections with influential families in that area.
　The work itself is progressing smoothly, but there’s one thing that just won’t let me go: the place names.
　This “Ibara” is part of a region known as “Shitsuki” since the Meiji era.
　This district name appears repeatedly in the documents, but I just can’t get used to it (sigh). I think that when a pronunciation resonates in our minds, a sense of familiarity arises, allowing us to organize and make sense of things.
　However, even after learning that “Shitsuki” is the reading for “後月,” it just won’t resonate with me.
　I simply can’t get a sense of the place or feel at home there. Yet in my family history research, this region is a crucial focal point for my relationships with the people there, spanning from the end of the Edo period through the Meiji era and beyond. It’s also my grandmother’s “birthplace,” so unearthing the family traditions there is of the utmost importance. That’s why I’m planning to visit the area soon.
　There are place names in Hokkaido—such as “Shiri” (from “Shiribeshi” and “Shiribetsu”)—where the character “後” is read as “shiri,” so it’s not as if I don’t understand the concept at all. Such a “reading” likely existed as an archaic form of Japanese.
　The AI’s explanation of the “Shitsuki” reading for “後月” is as follows.
　~ Origin and History of the Name
　1. Ancient Kibi Province, a leading region where immigrants and ancient occupational groups (bu-min) settled, was a key maritime transportation hub in the Seto Inland Sea, close to Korea. Many immigrant groups possessing advanced skills moved there. Since numerous professional groups serving the imperial court were also stationed there, the application of kanji to their languages and group names resulted in the preservation of unique place names.
　2. Forced application of kanji based on the “two-character auspicious character” rule. During the Nara period, by order of Empress Genmei, a rule was issued (the Imperial Edict on the Compilation of the Fudoki) stating, “Place names must use two auspicious Chinese characters (kōji).” As a result, the place name “Shitsuki” (足次) was forcibly assigned the two characters “Gotsuki” (後月), disregarding its original meaning. This gave rise to place names that modern people cannot read at a glance.
　3. “Pronunciation Changes” in Ancient Language: Cases where the “sounds of ancient Japanese” from thousands of years ago have evolved through dialectal changes, resulting in pronunciations that have drifted far from the original readings of the kanji. ~~
Well, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. I’ll try to get used to it somehow. Um… “Shitsuki,” I guess…

　
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Posted on 8月 11th, 2026 by 三木 奎吾
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