"Washimi" is a surname found in the areas from southern Gifu Prefecture to northern Aichi Prefecture, and in Tottori Prefecture.
The Washimi clan is said to have been the family name of the Ikeda clan, famous for Ikeda Tsuneoki, who was a vassal of Oda Nobunaga during the Sengoku period. In the Edo period, the Ikeda clan transferred to the Tottori domain, so the Washimi family name is also found in Gifu, Aichi, and Tottori.
In Gifu, Aichi, and Tottori, it is also pronounced "Sumi," and in other prefectures it is pronounced "Washimi."
The first head of the Washimi clan is said to be Fujiwara no Yorihisa, a descendant of Uona, the son of Fujiwara no Fusasaki, the founder of the Northern Fujiwara clan. The family name is said to have been bestowed on the family by Yorihisa after he slew two giant eagles and captured two of their young alive for the Emperor to see.
Sumi
"Sumi" is a family name that is pronounced "Sumi". It is said that there are more than 5000 people with this name in Gifu and Aichi prefectures, and more than 500 people in Tottori prefecture.
What is “knowing unusual surnames”?
It is said that there are approximately 30 Japanese surnames, including different readings. We will introduce some of the most unusual surnames, their pronunciations and origins, as well as areas where they still exist in large numbers.
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