Name as an instrument of power in the traditional Japanese society

The article attempts to present the relations between the authority and social sector in traditional Japanese society in the light of generic and other naming conventions. It considers elevation through bestowal of a name, punishment with deprivation of one, defending of the honour of generic names and the practice of restraint on bearing names. All hierarchic structure of traditional Japanese society was actually built on the names as status symbols, tightly linked with titles and ranks. The supreme power has successfully operated the names of the court aristocracy as a tool of subjugation.