The old Japanese often had changing his name.
(To be sure, Saitou had much it.)
It seems that they seldom sensed sense of incongruity to it.
When he wanted to hide true character from others, when his social
status changed, old Japanese changed the name.
(By the false name and the name which changed formally, since a
meaning is different, you have to distinguish.
However, I am ignorant in order to explain the method of the
distinction to you. I'm sorry.)
In fact, I do not know why it can be performed easily.
However, although this was only my guess, they had a name of "Imina"
apart from the name used usually.
"Imina" is "the taboo name" or "the hidden real name".
The custom to which this existed in ancient China is origin.
In ancient China, it was a taboo to call the real name of the man of
a high status.
Nobody was able to say an emperor's real name.
Therefore, noble people needed the usual name apart from the real
name.
People of a lower status called the noble person by the name.
And a noble person's real name became the hidden name which only
people of a near relation get to know.
(Furthermore, although this was also Chinese thought, when the real
name was known by the enemy, it was believed that it was used for
magic.)
This custom was imported by the old time to Japan.
Although it was required at first for the Emperors and aristocrats,
when the time passed, people of a lower status also imitated.
The people of the Edo period had at least two name.
One is "Tsusyou" and this is the name which anyone knows.
And another is "Imina".
This is the name which only his relative and very intimate friend,
and the sovereign of it and him can call.
For example, we know the name of Hijikata Toshizou.
He was called for the lifetime by this name and is this name still
now.
However, "Toshizou" is not a real name. His "Imina" is "Yoshitoyo".
That is, his real name is Hijikata Yoshitoyo.
(Although I do not know details, I think that the family name also
had a thing like "Imina" surely.)
Although an uncertain thing should not be said, since the real name
suited independently, I think that they would not have sense of
incongruity in changing a usual name.
(However, in order to escape an enemy, using the name different from
a real name is the case which often exists. In practice, it may be a
simpler reason.)
Incidentally, the custom of "Imina" was abolished when the Meiji
government created a family register in Meiji 5(1872).
Therefore, I do not have "Imina". And as long as there is no serious
reason, we are forbidden from changing a name.
Now, efforts of researchers show many Shinsengumi members' "Imina".
However, a member with unknown "Imina" exists one person.
The man is the most mysterious member among Shinsengumi.
But to him, everything but the name of Fujita Goro got from
Matsudaira Katamori may be unnecessary.
(Saitou said that "kaimyo" is unnecessary.)
--- In SHQ@yahoogroups.com, Warg3791@a... wrote:
>So it was Matsudaira who gave it to him? Never let it be said the
man did not appreciate those who showed him loyalty!
>
> -MissBehavin
Matsudaira Katamori is also writing the title of a monument
called "Jyunseturyoyunohi" in Hino.
I think that he was truly thankful to them. Matsumoto Ryojyun wrote
the text of this monument.
Nagakura also participated in creation with Shinsengumi relations of
Tama area.
Is "the man" Tokugawa Yoshinobu if my translation is not wrong?
I think that he had his position.
However, it is a fact that he was very indifferent to his retainers.
First having been ordered writing the title of "Jyunseturyoyunohi"
was Yoshinobu.
However, he only sheds tears and did not write it at last.
On Monday, I will attend a office.
Probably, I will make the preparations which attend a office to the
time.
I may be able to participate for about 1 hour.
However, I require time for understanding English very much.
Probably, even if I participate, I cannot speak at all -_-
Gomen-nasai.
momoiro-usagi