"Shoni" is a rare surname found mainly in Fukuoka Prefecture, but it is also found in neighboring Yamaguchi Prefecture and Kumamoto Prefecture.
The Shoni clan is said to have originated with Muto Sukeyori, the son of Muto Yorihira, who is said to be a descendant of the Hidesato line, the main branch of the Northern branch of the Fujiwara clan, one of the four branches of the Fujiwara clan. Sukeyori played an active role as a military commander for Taira no Kiyomori's fourth son, Tomomori, during the Genpei War. He was captured by Miura Yoshizumi, a military commander on the side of the Minamoto clan, but was appointed as a retainer of the Kamakura shogunate due to his knowledge of the historical facts such as ceremonies, laws, systems, ancient customs and etiquette.
During the Kenkyu era, he moved to Kyushu as Dazai Shoni, a position that was the deputy governor of Dazaifu, and it is believed that the clan came to be called the Shoni clan as the position was passed down from generation to generation.
Shoni
"Shoni" is a family name that is pronounced "Shouni". There are about 40 people with this name across the country, mainly in Fukuoka 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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