hori

Hori is a term that can refer to several related but distinct concepts, most commonly in Japanese. In Japanese, the kanji 堀 is typically read as Hori and means a ditch, moat, or trench. The same character appears in compounds and place names, where it signals a feature related to earth or water, such as a moat around a castle or a dug or hollowed area. The verb form for digging is horu, which reflects the same root in different grammatical use.

As a surname, Hori is relatively common in Japan and among Japanese communities abroad. It is usually written with the character 堀, though regional variations in spelling or related surnames may occur. People with the surname Hori have been noted across a range of fields, including science, sports, and the arts, reflecting its established place in Japanese naming practices.

In historical and architectural contexts, 堀 is used to denote defensive moats and ditches connected with fortifications, as well as associated landscape features. The term thus appears in descriptions of castle sites, gardens, and irrigation works, where its sense of excavation or trenching is functionally significant.

Outside Japan, Hori may appear as a romanization of different names or terms from other languages, and its meaning can differ from the Japanese usage. The article’s focus remains on its Japanese origins and usage as a surname and descriptive element in place names and historical contexts. See also: Horii (surname).