Ainu Morpheme Explorer
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Suttsu, Shiribeshi region, Hokkaidō

フヱヲマイ

ふえおまい Puy-oma-i

The natural arch of Fueomai stands on a stretch of shore with no safe approach.

Ainu spellings: Puy-oma-i, Puy-o-i

Analyses

puy-oma-i

プイオマイ

proposed

place with a hole in it

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

Matsuura's own note on the cape, 岩岬、穴有 with 此穴を以て號く, states that the hole is what the name is for. The arch was located from the coordinates of the old maps and found still standing; the way to it is a scramble down cliff, and the nearby track belongs to local fishermen and crosses private ground.

Variants

  • puy-o-i ‘place with a hole in it’ — The form behind 今井図's ブヱヲイトマリ.

Evidence

  • documents

    The 西蝦夷日誌 entry names the hole as the reason for the name, and both 松浦図 and 今井図 mark the spot.

zenibako_trek2024 「窓岩の位置を見つける」田村1996 puy プイ【名】穴、孔（突き抜けていて何かが通るあなやすきま）
Analysis details
Confidence: medium

puy and oma are dictionary words in the proposed senses, the compound is ordinary, an Edo-period record states the motive for the name, and the arch is still there.

Attestations

  • フエヲマイ document Edo period 西蝦夷日誌
    レレマキ泊（番屋、いなり）、和人沙泊と云。（并びて）フエヲマイ（岩岬、穴有）、此穴を以て號く。

    Matsuura notes the hole and says the name is given for it.

  • ブヱヲイトマリ map Edo period 今井測量原図

    puy-o-i, the same meaning.

  • フヱヲマイ map Edo period 東西蝦夷山川地理取調図

Related names

  • 弁慶 べんけい — The shore route ends at the cleft in the rock past Fueomai, and the climb to the upper road begins there. zenibako_trek2024

Sources