Name: Gaignun Kukai Jr.

Japanese Name: ガイナン　クーカイ　ジュニア

Romanization: Ｇａｉｎａｎ　Ｋｕｕｋａｉ　Ｊｕｎｉａ

Origin: Gaignun is the name of the warhorse of the Saracen king of Spain, Marsilion, in the French epic “The Song of Roland.” It means “watch-dog”.

Junior comes from Latin “juvenis” which means “young” or “young man”. As a name suffix, it is used for a child whose first name is the same as one of their parents, usually male.

Significance: Gaignun was the name of the cat Jr. and Gaignun raised as children. It’s possible Jr. was the one to name him, as he enjoys reading. He may be named ironically.

Surname Origin: Kūkai (空海), also known as Kobo Daishi, was a Japanese scholar, monk, poet, and calligrapher. He is the founder of the Shingon (“True Word”) school of Buddhism and is said to have invented kana, the syllabary in which, along with kanji, the Japanese language is written.

Surname Significance: Jr.’s love of reading may be a nod toward Kukai’s supposed hand in the invention of kana, as well as his many written works. It may also be tied to the URTV’s special abilities, as Kukai was sometimes said to have supernatural powers.

Additional: The legendary sword Durandal is also featured in “The Song of Roland”.

Article by Mattoid