Aoki

由来と歴史

Aoki means 'blue-green tree' (青木), a reference to evergreen trees such as the Japanese aucuba (aoki) or other year-round green plants that marked sacred or auspicious locations. The name arose as a topographic or nature-inspired surname during the Heian and Kamakura periods. The Aoki clan appears as samurai retainers in multiple provinces, and the name is found throughout Japan, with concentration in Nagano and Shizuoka prefectures.