Kazama

Kazama is a Japanese surname written with the kanji 風間. The first character means wind and the second means space or interval; as with many Japanese surnames, the literal meaning reflects the characters used rather than a fixed modern definition, and it functions as a family name regardless of interpretation.

In real life, Kazama is borne by numerous families and individuals in Japan and among Japanese communities abroad, across a range of professions including sports, arts, and academia. It is one of several surnames formed from natural elements and appears in various regional lineages.

In popular culture, Kazama is widely recognized as a fictional surname and clan in the Tekken video game series by Namco. The Kazama family is a martial arts lineage; notable members include Jun Kazama and Jin Kazama. The family is associated with a fictional fighting style known as Kazama-ryu or Kazama Style Traditional Martial Arts, and their story is integrated into the broader Tekken backstory involving other lineages such as the Mishimas.

Outside of Tekken, Kazama has appeared as a surname in other media and in real life, reflecting its status as a standard Japanese family name.