Yahata
/jaꜜha̠ta̠/noun
A Japanese place name and alternative reading of Hachiman, the name associated with the syncretic Shinto-Buddhist deity of war and protection.
Did you know?Yahata is an alternative reading of 八幡, the written name of Hachiman, a deity whose worship blended Shinto traditions with Buddhism and later became especially important to samurai culture.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Japanese
Japanese
ya
“Eight”
Ancient Japanese
Japanese
hata
“A banner, flag, or ritual standard”
8th Century
Japanese
八幡
“The name of the Hachiman cult and deity; literally interpreted as “eight banners””
8th–9th Century
Japanese
Yahata / Hachiman
“Alternative readings used for the deity associated with war, protection, and imperial legitimacy”
Medieval Japan
Japanese
Yahata
“A name appearing in shrine titles and place names connected with Hachiman worship”
Modern English
English
Yahata
“A Japanese proper name, including the former city of Yahata in Fukuoka Prefecture”