Geto Suguru: The Hidden Meanings and Japanese Origins of His Name

Hi there, Junko from Japan here! Anime characters often have names that carry profound meanings. GETO SUGURU, a character from Jujutsu Kaisen, is no exception.

In this post, we’ll explore the origins and significance of his name. I’ll tell you why GETO is a unique term in the Japanese language, what SUGURU commonly means, and how these meanings contribute to the character’s persona.

Buckle up for a thrilling journey into the captivating world of names in Jujutsu Kaisen!

GETO Meaning in Japanese: A Rare Name with Deep Ties to Tradition

What does GETO mean? This is a hard question to answer! The term GETO is quite unfamiliar to many, including native Japanese speakers. In fact, it’s so rare that it’s seldom heard as a surname.

This unusual word finds its origin in a quaint onsen (hot spring) area called Geto Onsen, nestled in Kitakami city in Iwate prefecture. Geto Onsen is not a renowned tourist spot, but it’s believed to have influenced the creator of Jujutsu Kaisen in naming the character.

Geto Onsen has a rich history dating back nearly 900 years. Its discovery is tied to a legend involving a battle between the descendants of samurais and a gigantic white ape.

Intriguingly, Geto in Jujutsu Kaisen refers to humans without curse power as ‘monkeys’, possibly hinting at a connection to the white ape legend of Geto Onsen.

Here’s the picture of this legendary place!

As you can see, it’s a small remote village that is in the middle of mountains. Geto is too far from city areas and known as a hidden spot.

Geto’s name is derived from “GUTTO O”, the word from Ainu language that means a cliff. Ainu is indigenous people in Hokkaido area in Japan. They have their own language and culture and it’s completely different from these of Japanese.

The sound GUTTO O changed GETO and people gave proper kanji characters for the name. The first letter for GE uses a kanji character that means “summer” because this area has heavy snow in winter and people can bathe in the hot spring only in summer.

The TO was given one that stands for “oil” because the waving surface of the spring seemed like oil.

SUGURU Meaning in Japanese: A Common Name with Positive Impressions

Suguru’s name meaning, this is an easy question! Contrasting with the rarity of ‘Geto’, ‘Suguru’ is a common male name in Japan. The kanji for ‘Suguru’ can vary, with each variant having a unique meaning.

In the case of Geto Suguru in Jujutsu Kaisen, the kanji denotes “a person who excels or stands out in all aspects”.

However, a deeper look into the origins of this kanji reveals a somewhat dark background.

The kanji for ‘Suguru’ is said to depict a man being crucified, a form of execution. This could be related to the historical notion of a hero being someone who killed many in wars.

Geto Suguru is somewhat of a dark hero in Jujutsu Kaisen, a character who has sacrificed many non-sorcerers. Although this might be reading too much into it, the creator may have deliberately chosen this kanji for Suguru, considering his role in the story.

Through our exploration, we’ve uncovered deeper layers to the character of Geto Suguru. From his unique surname to his common yet profound given name, every aspect adds depth to our understanding and appreciation of Jujutsu Kaisen.

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