On February 2, 2025, the topic of names and their social consequences hit home for Tachibana Kisei, who has been grappling with the oddities of her own unusual name. At 40 years old, Kisei is caught between the allure of individuality and the burdens she has carried since childhood due to her kira-kira name—a term used in Japan to describe extravagant and often bewildering names.
Since she was young, Kisei has faced challenges associated with her name, which often raises eyebrows or prompts laughter. "なんて読むかわかります?ほぼ1回では読んでもらえません。無理もありませんけど…" Kisei remarked, highlighting the confusion others often have when trying to pronounce her name. Whereas many might see these unique names as creative expressions, Kisei's experiences have not reflected beauty or ingenuity but rather embarrassment and ridicule.
The critiques surrounding kira-kira names echo widely among parents and experts. Hiratsuka Toshiki, a crisis management consultant, noted, "今年は戸籍法の改正で名前にふりがなのルールが初めて設けられることになる," referring to upcoming reforms intended to regulate the naming practices to avoid the difficulties associated with unreadable names. The discussion around this topic is not merely legislative but deeply personal for many individuals like Kisei.
Throughout her childhood, Kisei endured her share of bullying, which she attributes partly to her unusual name. She recounted, "可愛い名前だといじめられたこともありますと," detailing how her name set her apart and not always for the right reasons. Friends and classmates would laugh and poke fun, which made her time at school particularly difficult.
Such experiences have led Kisei to contemplate changing her name, a prospect met with resistance from her parents, who insist on preserving the name they chose for her. "改名を考えていますが、両親からは絶対に許さないと言われています。自分たちはこんな名前をつけられていないからそんなことが言えるんですよ," she confided, expressing her frustration with her parents' refusal to understand her plight.
Kisei reflects on her name as "本当に十字架。年々その重さが体にのしかかっていきます," illustrating vividly the weight she feels from the heavy burden of her name as she ages. With each passing year, the emotional toll of her kira-kira name intensifies, compounding her feelings of alienation.
The conversation around kira-kira names has become increasingly relevant as parents today find themselves torn between the desire to be unique and the societal pressures of normalcy. Where once unusual names were seen as avant-garde, they now often lead to discussions among social reformers, educators, and those affected.
Through Kisei's story, we see a reflection of broader societal questions: What does it mean to have your identity shaped by your name? And how do we reconcile individual expression with common societal norms?
While change is on the horizon with legislation intended to guide naming practices, the emotional scars from names like Kisei's remain. The challenge of those who bear such names will not fade easily, calling for more awareness and dialogue around the significance of personal identity and societal expectations concerning names.