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Motoyoshi 本義 – Japanese boy given name

Motoyoshi (本義) is read もとよし and has 4 syllables. It is mostly used for boys. Written as 本義, the characters mean: book + righteousness. This reading can be written with at least 27 different kanji combinations (the 6 most common are shown below), with 11 to 24 strokes in total.

How to write Motoyoshi in Japanese

Kanji	Reading	Literal meaning	Strokes
本義	もとよし	book + righteousness	18
基由	もとよし	fundamentals + wherefore	16
元美	もとよし	beginning + beauty	13
基義	もとよし	fundamentals + righteousness	24
基好	もとよし	fundamentals + fond	17
元良	もとよし	beginning + good	11

Meanings are literal translations of each kanji. Names are often chosen for sound, so the intended meaning can differ.

The kanji in Motoyoshi

本

book, present, main, origin

5 strokes, taught in elementary school, grade 1

On: ホン Kun: もと

義

righteousness, justice, morality, honor

13 strokes, taught in elementary school, grade 5

On: ギ

基

fundamentals, radical, counter for machines, foundation

11 strokes, taught in elementary school, grade 5

On: キ Kun: もと、もとい

由

wherefore, a reason

5 strokes, taught in elementary school, grade 3

On: ユ、ユウ、ユイ Kun: よし、よ

元

beginning, former time, origin

4 strokes, taught in elementary school, grade 2

On: ゲン、ガン Kun: もと

美

beauty, beautiful

9 strokes, taught in elementary school, grade 3

On: ビ、ミ Kun: うつく

Motoyoshi in different scripts

Romaji	Motoyoshi
Hiragana	もとよし
Katakana	モトヨシ
Kanji (most common)	本義

Full name examples

Motoyoshi Yuki (Japanese order: 結城本義, ゆうきもとよし)
Motoyoshi Kono (Japanese order: 河野本義, こうのもとよし)
Motoyoshi Maki (Japanese order: 牧本義, まきもとよし)

How to pronounce Motoyoshi

Break it into 3 parts: mo · toyo · shi. Japanese has no stressed syllables like English, so say each part with the same length and the same weight. The 4 sound units are written もとよし.

Questions about Motoyoshi

What does Motoyoshi mean in Japanese?

Motoyoshi has no single fixed meaning: it depends on the kanji. The most common spelling, 本義, combines these meanings: book + righteousness. Other spellings include 基由 (fundamentals + wherefore), 元美 (beginning + beauty), 基義 (fundamentals + righteousness).

How do you write Motoyoshi in kanji?

The most common way is 本義 (もとよし). It can also be written 基由, 元美, 基義, 基好, 元良.

How do you write Motoyoshi in katakana?

Motoyoshi is モトヨシ in katakana and もとよし in hiragana.

Is Motoyoshi a boy or girl name?

Motoyoshi is mostly used for boys.

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Other names that use 本

本: book, present, main

Motoki 本基 Motomi 本実

Names with a similar sound

Moto 大生 Motoaki 統明 Motoe 元衛 Motoka 元日 Motoki 本基 Motoko 素子 Motomi 本実 Motonori 要教