Biratori, Hidaka region, Hokkaidō

糠平

ぬかびら Nukabira

Three readings of the name are grammatical, and the article settles on the one that follows the local tradition of Okikurmi's casi.

Ainu spellings: Noka-pira

Analyses

noka-pira

ノカピラ

proposed

cliff where the figure is

noka figure, image
pira cliff

Proponent: zenibako_trek（小樽銭函地名歴史研究会） (zenibako_trek (Otaru Zenibako Place-Name and History Society))

The author chooses the reading that follows the tradition, taking the figure to be that of the god Okikurmi. He adds that nukar 'watch' is transitive and therefore does not fit.

Variants

nupka-pira ‘cliff of the field’ — One of the safe readings the author sets aside.
nokan-pira ‘narrow cliff’ — The other safe reading he sets aside.

Sources

日高地方の地名の由来
zenibako_trek·2025-05-20