Editing Japanese name (section)

== Imperial names ==
[[File:Akishinodera1.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Akishino-dera in [[Nara, Nara|Nara]], from which [[Prince Akishino]] took his name]]
{{See also|Imperial Household of Japan}}
For historical reasons, the [[Emperor of Japan|Japanese emperor]] and his families do not have a surname and possess only a given name, such as {{nihongo|[[Hirohito]]|裕仁}}. However, Japanese people prefer to say "the Emperor" or "the Crown Prince", rather than using the personal name out of respect and as a measure of politeness.

When children are born into the Imperial family, they receive a standard given name as well as a special title. For instance, the Emperor emeritus [[Akihito]] was born {{nihongo||継宮明仁|Tsugu-no-miya Akihito}}. In this name, the title is {{nihongo3|"Prince Tsugu"|継宮|Tsugu-no-miya}}, and he was referred to as "Prince Tsugu" during his childhood. This title is generally used until the individual becomes heir to the throne or inherits one of the historical princely family names ({{nihongo||常陸宮|Hitachi-no-miya}}, {{nihongo||三笠宮|Mikasa-no-miya}}, {{nihongo||秋篠宮|Akishino-no-miya}}, etc.).

When a member of the Imperial family becomes a noble or a commoner, the emperor gives them a family name. In medieval era, the family name "[[Minamoto clan|Minamoto]]" was often used. In modern era, princely family names are used. For example, many members of the extended Imperial family became commoners after [[World War II]] and adopted their princely family names minus the honorific {{nihongo3|"Prince"|宮|-no-miya}} as regular surnames. Conversely, if a commoner or a noble were to become a member of the Imperial family, such as through marriage, their family name is lost. An example is [[Empress Michiko]], whose name was Michiko Shōda before she married Prince [[Akihito]].