Gushiken

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gushiken (具志堅), is a Japanese surname of Okinawan (Ryukyu islands) origin. It is somewhat unique in that it is composed of three kanji characters, where most Japanese surnames are composed of two or one kanji characters.

The Gushiken surname is one of many Samurai family names of the Okinawan warrior class (Okinawan samurai, also known as Shizoku Pechin). In recent history there have been a few notable Gushiken who have excelled in martial arts, politics, sports, education, entertainment, etc.

Some members of former Samurai families began their migration from Okinawa in the early 1900s. Years earlier, in the late 1800s, government pensions to Samurai had been cancelled. Then, in 1920 Okinawa was hit hard by a major economic downturn, the price of cotton and silk fell by 70% in some areas and it was still recovering from a major epidemic that swept through the islands. Many in the warrior class found the adjustment difficult and left Okinawa to seek their fortunes in places like Hawaii, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, and California.


[edit] See also

Languages