The Origin of the Name

Track 1

The Distinguished Son, Raito Kitakata

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What is the meaning of my name?

I asked my parents this when I was in elementary school.

We were given homework to ask about the origin of our name. 

On the way home from school that day, I imagined what the origin of my name might be. 

Raito. The impression is Light.

Many of my classmates who attended the same school had Western names. .

Most of the reasons were to make the pronunciation easier in foreign languages in the hopes of success on the global stage. 

My parents also likely imbued that hope with the name, Light. 

Maybe the origin of Raito is Right with the hopes of me living a righteous life. 

Or maybe it is Light referring to living with the ideal of illuminating someone’s path and becoming the light that guides others. 

That’s probably the wish that was imbued. 

I made the journey home, my heart filled with expectation and wonder for what my parents had wished for my name. After dinner, I asked my long-awaited question.

The answer I received was slightly different than what I expected.

“It’s certainly as you guessed. In the beginning, when we were thinking of your name we thought of both the meanings of Right and Light. More accurately, there was the meaning of becoming the light that guides others but also the meaning of “The One who Comes”. 

“The One who Comes?”

We sat down as a family on the living room sofa, a moment spent together in a happy circle.

It was like this every evening in the Kitakata household.

Our family bond was especially strong.

It was so normal to me at that time that I thought every family was like us. 

“It means a person who can rise to others’ expectations and pave a path towards the future. As you know, you’re the eldest son of the Kitakata conglomerate. However…” 

Dad paused, and shifted his gaze to my mom, who was seated beside me on the couch.

Nayuki, still in nursery school, was seated upon her lap. 

My mom smiled gently, and lovingly patted the top of my head.

“Mom and Dad don’t think all of that matters now.”

But doesn’t it matter?

If that’s the case, what is the meaning of my name?

My parents simply crinkled their eyes in a smile as I sat there puzzled.

“You were born and you’re living. We realized while raising you that’s all that matters. If you live righteously, lead the way for others, and cultivate a path towards the future of course we will be proud. But still. The happiest thing for us is that you are happy.” 

“I see… But, that still doesn’t answer the question for my homework.”

My parents laughed together at my rebuke.

“For your homework, you can write any of what we spoke about just now. Whichever reason you like.” 

“Eh–, I’ll write down all of it!” 

“Oh, how responsible of you.” 

Dad placed his large hand on my head and emphasized, “Nevertheless, it’s OK for you to decide your own life and how you want to live it. Please choose the meaning of your own name. It’s not necessary to take over the family business if you do not wish for it.” 

“How do I want to live?”

At that time, I happened to be obsessed with books about the lives of historical figures.

“That’s basically asking how I want to die, right? The death poem I read recently from a famous historical person was really cool!” 

I thought this innocently.

How you live is the same as how you die. 

I think my parents laughed at the time.

They looked like they never thought that I, a young child, might someday die before them.

I remember my little brother Nayuki, with big round eyes on my mother’s lap, asked me with his childish voice if I was going to die. 

“When I become an old man,” I responded back, giving him a hug. 

“When I’m an old man too?”

“That’s right! After Nayuki is an old man too. By that time we’ll surely have lots of grandkids and great-grandkids too!”

I rubbed my cheek against my cute little brother’s plump round face.

“That’s right, Raito, Nayuki. The direct lineage of the Kitakata family has been going to a certain fortune-telling hall for generations. The fortunes are often very accurate. It takes a few years for a reservation but you should be able to go when you’re a little bit older.” 

“Fortune-telling!?”

My heart danced with excitement at dad’s words.

I had an interest in all kinds of supernatural phenomena and mysterious things.

“Ah. Grandfather, Great-Grandfather and I all had our fortunes told, and it was helpful for the future. I’m sure it will be a fruitful time for you both too. I think it will be a hint for your future life.” 

“Did you hear that, Nayuki? Fortune-telling! I’m looking forward to it!” 

Nayuki stared at me as if he wasn’t quite understanding.

I thought about the day I would get my fortune told, and my heart filled with anticipation.

That remains one part of my warm and gentle memories of being born into the Kitakata family. 

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