Eastern Hokkaidō: Lake Mashū
摩周
ましゅう MashūLake Mashū is enclosed by caldera walls, with Kamuyshu Island rising from the lake. Hasegawa (2004) gives Kintan-kamuy-to as another name for the lake and discusses two proposals for Mashū while leaving its origin unresolved.
Ainu spellings: マシュン・トー, マ・シュ, キンタン・カムイ・ト
Analyses
マシュン・トー
Gull lake
- マシュン gull
- トー lake
Proponent: 永田方正
Objections
- He questions connecting an inland mountain lake with gulls. — 長谷川雅広 国立環境研究所2004
マ・シュ
The old woman of the small island
- マ small island
- シュ old woman
Proponent: 佐藤直太郎
Hasegawa recounts a legend in which an old woman searching for her grandchild rests in the lake and turns into Kamuyshu Island. Satō’s interpretation connects this story with the lake name.
Objections
- He sees possible confusion with Kamuyshu Island or Kamuynupuri. — 長谷川雅広 国立環境研究所2004
Attestations
- キンタン・カムイ・ト document 2004 GEMS/Water摩周湖モニタリングデータブック
The report gives this lake name as “a divine lake in the mountains”.
国立環境研究所2004 p. 75, 4.8.2
Sources
- GEMS/Water摩周湖モニタリングデータブック
2004-09