Meaning

Primary

Sugahara

Alternative

Sugawara

Word Type

proper noun

Explanation

Sedge field is both Sugahara and Sugawara, the Japanese family names. Sedgefield is a family name (and a place-name) in English too, so that might help you with this one!

This is a very old surname, said to have originated with Nara period scholar Hanishi-no-sukune (土師宿禰) who changed his name to Sugawara-no-furuhito (菅原古人). Historically, the name has been associated with scholars and writers, including prominent Heian period statesman, scholar, and poet Sugawara-no-michizane (菅原道真) and noblewoman, writer, and poet Sugawara-no-takasue-no-musume (菅原孝標女), also known more simply as Lady Sarashina in the English speaking world.

Reading

すがはら
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)
すがわら
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The only reading you haven't learned for this name is the irregular わら reading for , so here's a mnemonic to help you:

Sugawara-san went to war a (わら) long time ago, but these days he enjoys a quiet life tending to his sedge fields.

Context

Context Sentences

菅原っていう苗字、なんかかっこよくね?

Sugahara's a cool surname, isn't it?

あれ、菅原さん、風邪ですか?

Oh, Sugawara-san, do you have a cold?

菅原靴店で、オシャレな革靴を買った。

At Sugawara Shoe Store, I bought a pair of stylish leather shoes.

Kanji Composition