Non-nurturing of a different surname - Iseifuyou

This refers to the Chinese principle of ceremonial law that those with different surnames, i.e. those who do not share the same ancestors, cannot be adopted. Adoption is intended to maintain ancestral rituals, and is based on the idea that ancestors should be worshiped by descendants who share the same male bloodline as oneself. It was also stipulated in the laws of successive Chinese dynasties, but in the lives of the people it was not observed as strictly as the prohibition against marriage between people with the same surname. Japan's Ritsuryo Code also incorporated this principle, and the Edo Shogunate also established this principle regarding the adoption of Hatamoto and Gokenin, but it was not practiced among the general public.

[Ryosuke Ishii]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

異姓の者、すなわち祖先を同じくしない者は養子にしてはならないという中国の礼制上の原則をさす。養子は祖先の祭祀(さいし)を維持するためのものであるが、祖先は自分と男系の血を同じくする子孫が祭らなければならないという思想に基づいている。中国歴代の法律にも規定されたが、国民生活上は、同姓不婚ほどには厳しく守られなかった。日本の律令(りつりょう)でもこの原則を取り入れ、江戸幕府も旗本、御家人(ごけにん)の養子についてこの原則を定めているが、民衆の間では行われなかった。

［石井良助］

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