More Japanese references

[David Jordan]

On Sun, 18 Feb 1996, Yoshiko Kihara wrote: 

> 
> Professor Wawazume (VL 142)
> "Wawazume" is undecipherable. "Zume" could be a variant of "tume", or a 
> nail. but. . . .
> 

This one did seem odd to me because, while it *is* tetrasyllabic like many
Japanese family names and therefore phonologically plausible, I've never
actually encountered a Japanese surname like it, or even one containing
either of the two putative morphemes 'wawa' or 'zume.'  (And I live in
California and have seen an amply rich sample.)

If Mr. Kihara says it's undecipherable, I have to believe him, as he 
knows much more about Japanese than I do.  (He has certainly stepped 
in as the list's de facto expert on Japanese.)  This would suggest that 
any pun, meaning, etc., would derive from a non-Japanese source.

It sure isn't obvious to me.  Any ideas anyone?  Or is it to remain a 
mystery?  Maybe any meaning it has is so personal that it's intended to 
remain undeciphered.

David Jordan
littlcat at netcom.com