tsuji

Tsuji is a Japanese surname and, less commonly, a place name. It is most commonly written with the kanji 辻, which means crossroads or junction, reflecting a historical association with roadways and markets. The name is read tsuji in Japanese, and it is used by many families with roots in different regions of Japan.

Historically, surnames tied to geographic features such as roads and crossroads were common in Japan, and Tsuji appears in clan and community records from the feudal period onward. In the modern era the surname is widely distributed across the country and is also carried by Japanese diaspora communities abroad.

In contemporary usage, Tsuji appears in literature, film, and media as a surname for fictional characters, while in real life it is borne by people in a range of professions including science, the arts, business, and athletics. As with many Japanese surnames, the meaning is tied to place of origin and lineage rather than a specific occupation or title.