Suffixes for historical figures


When it comes to historical figures, or at least famous person in the past,
the suffixes like さん/様/氏 are used? Like in 足利尊氏さん. I don't know why, but the
use of suffix give me a sense of "familiarity", a sense of "closeness", as to
treat the historical figure like a "living person" and not only a name. Could
be wrong though. What do you think?




The short answer is no. Historical figures are referred to by names alone. It
should be the same as Mr./Mrs. etc. are not used for historical figures in
English.

That said, it is possible to use suffixes (or it's imaginable for some people
using them) in certain cases. E.g., a historian might use 足利尊氏さん in explaining
something on TV. This would give a sort of closeness to the figure, as you
mention. Or a descent of a historical figure using 様 to show respect. On the
other hand, I cannot really imagine 氏 is added to refer to a historical
figure.

* * *

In Japanese historical context, family name+氏 (e.g. 足利氏) means the family as a
whole (as a clan). It's like _the Habsburgs_ , but in Western history ー家{け} is
used (ハプスブルク家).

And an exception I can think of is お釈迦様{しゃかさま} to mean the Buddha/Siddartha
Gautama. But this is more or less a proper name by itself.




The short answer is no. Historical figures are referred to by names alone. It
should be the same as Mr./Mrs. etc. are not used for historical figures in
English.

That said, it is possible to use suffixes (or it's imaginable for some people
using them) in certain cases. E.g., a historian might use 足利尊氏さん in explaining
something on TV. This would give a sort of closeness to the figure, as you
mention. Or a descent of a historical figure using 様 to show respect. On the
other hand, I cannot really imagine 氏 is added to refer to a historical
figure.

* * *

In Japanese historical context, family name+氏 (e.g. 足利氏) means the family as a
whole (as a clan). It's like _the Habsburgs_ , but in Western history ー家{け} is
used (ハプスブルク家).

And an exception I can think of is お釈迦様{しゃかさま} to mean the Buddha/Siddartha
Gautama. But this is more or less a proper name by itself.

