hayashi

Hayashi (林) is a Japanese surname meaning "forest." It is a common name in Japan, with the usual reading in surnames being Hayashi. The character may have other readings in different names, but Hayashi is the most widely used for this surname.

In traditional Japanese performing arts, hayashi refers to the musical ensemble that accompanies performances such as kabuki and bunraku. The group typically includes drums, flutes, and other instruments, and the term can refer to the musicians themselves as well as the music they perform.

Hayashi rice is a popular yoshoku dish in Japan, consisting of beef, onions, and mushrooms stewed in a thick demi-glace–style sauce and served over steamed white rice. It originated in Meiji-era Western-influenced cuisine and remains common in yoshoku restaurants and home cooking. Variations may include tomatoes, red wine, or different mushrooms, but the hallmark is the sauced beef and onion combination over rice.

In astronomy, the Hayashi track is a theoretical path on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram that contracting pre-main-sequence stars follow before reaching the main sequence. It is named after Japanese astronomer Chūshirō Hayashi, who contributed to early theories of star formation and stellar evolution.

There are many notable people with the surname Hayashi, reflecting its status as a common Japanese name. The term also appears in various place names and cultural contexts within Japan.