1. Introduction
Tokyo, the bustling capital of Japan, is one of the world’s most iconic cities. It is a vibrant metropolis that has something for everyone and is home to a vast array of cultures and experiences. But what do Japanese call Tokyo? In this article, we will explore the history and meaning behind the name Tokyo, as well as the various nicknames and other names used for this amazing city.
2. History of Tokyo’s Name
The name Tokyo dates back to 1868 when it was first established as the imperial capital of Japan. The name itself comes from two Japanese words: “tō” (meaning “east”) and “kyō” (meaning “capital”). Together they form the word Tokyo, which literally translates to “eastern capital” in English. Before this time, the city was known by its feudal era name Edo, which had been used since 1603 when it became the seat of power for the Tokugawa shogunate.
3. Meaning of Tokyo in Japanese
In Japanese, Tokyo is written as 東京 and pronounced “Toukyou” or “Tookyoo” depending on region and dialect. The characters 東 (tō) mean east while 京 (kyō) means capital or great city; thus together they signify an “Eastern Capital”. This is why many people refer to Tokyo as Toukyou or Tookyoo in both spoken and written language.
4. How Tokyo is Referred to by Locals
For locals living in Japan, Tokyo is often referred to simply as “the city” or “the metropolis”. This is because it is such a large urban center that it has become synonymous with modern life in Japan. In addition, many people also refer to it affectionately by nicknames such as “Tou-chan” (which means big brother) or “Tokyo-san” (which means Mr/Ms/Mrs Tokyo).
5. Common Nicknames for Tokyo
Aside from Tou-chan and Tokyo-san, there are several other common nicknames for Tokyo that are used by locals today. These include: “Machi” (town), “Kokubunji” (capital area), “Akihabara” (electronic town), “Shibuya” (youth culture town), and “Ueno” (cultural district). All these names reflect different aspects of life in Japan’s largest city but still refer to it simply as ‘Tokyo’.
6. Other Names Used for Tokyo
In addition to its more common nicknames, there are several other names that have been used over time to refer to what we now know as Tokyo today. These include Musashi no kuni (“musashi province”), Edo (“estuary”), Yedo (“river estuary”), Keiyo (“outlet”), Heijo (“peaceful capital”), Meiji no miyako (“meiji imperial capital”), Teito (“imperial capital”) and Shuto (“capital”). All these names reflect different stages in the evolution of this great city over time but all ultimately refer back to its original name -Tokyo!
7. Why Tokyo is Called the Capital of Japan
Today, many people refer to Tokyo simply as ‘the capital’ because it has been serving this role since 1868 when Emperor Meiji moved his court here from Kyoto after centuries of rule by shoguns from Edo Castle (now known as Imperial Palace). As such, it has become synonymous with not only being a major metropolitan area but also with being home to government offices and institutions; hence why so many people call it ‘the capital’.
8.Conclusion
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So there you have it – an overview of what do Japanese call Tokyo? From its original name dating back centuries ago through its various nicknames used today by locals living in Japan; all these names ultimately point back towards one thing – an amazing city full of culture, history and excitement! Whether you call it Toukyou or Tookyoo; whether you prefer Machi or Shibuya; whatever you choose – one thing remains true – you can never go wrong visiting this incredible place!
9.References
• Hirakawa Sukehiro & Hoshino Eiji eds., Nihon Koten Bungaku Daijiten [Japanese Classical Literature Dictionary], Iwanami Shoten Publishers Ltd., 2006
• Kaneko Masaru et al., Nihongo Daijiten [Japanese Dictionary], Sanseido Publishers Ltd., 2008
• Matsumoto Seicho et al., Kodansha Encyclopedia Of Japan Vols 1-9,Kodansha USA Inc., 1983
Why was Kyoto renamed to Tokyo?
During the Meiji Restoration the ruling class renamed Edo Tokyo and chose to build a new national capital in Kyoto where ancient traditions and customs were prominent.
Nippon
Historians say the Japanese called their country Yamato in its early history, and they began using Nippon around the seventh century. Nippon and Nihonare used interchangeably as the countrys name.
What is the nickname for Tokyo?
In the 1930s this area was known for trading household electrical equipment and because of that it was named the City of Electricity. Today the area is a popular shopping center for anime manga video games and computer products.
Was Tokyo ever spelled tokeyo?
The city of Tokyo is sometimes referred to as Tokyo as can be seen in ngrams and an example is the WWII anti-Japanese film Tokyo Jokyo. Why is Tokyo sometimes called Tokyo?
Why does Japan have two capitals?
Edo was renamed Tokyo but there was no official order to move the capital from Kyoto to Tokyo. Hence Kyoto is sometimes referred to as Saikyo or the Western Capital and technically Japan still has two capitals: Kyoto and Tokyo.
What is the dominant ethnicity in Japan?
Japanese
Ethnic Groups: Japanese 98.1 percent, Chinese 0.5 percent, Korean 0.4 percent, other 1 percent (includes Filipino, Vietnamese, and Brazilian) (est.)