This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

蝦夷

Readings

Kana: えぞ、えみし
Romaji: ezo, emishi
Kana
Romaji

Definitions

1

historical term for non-Yamato peoples in northern Japan

2

Yezo (northern part of Meiji-era Japan, esp. Hokkaido, but also Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands)

See also: 蝦夷地

Kanji

Readings: カ、 ゲ、 えび
Meanings: shrimp, prawn, lobster
Readings: イ、 えびす、 えみし、 ころ.す、 たい.らげる
Meanings: barbarian, savage, Ainu