This article explains the meaning behind the name Masumasu Masuda and the philosophy that inspired it. We hope that understanding our story will make your dining experience in Kyoto even more meaningful.
One of the questions we are asked most often is:
“What does ‘Masumasu Masuda’ mean?”
The first part of the answer is simple.
Our family name is Masuda.
But the name represents much more than our surname.
It reflects our love for Japanese cuisine, our respect for Japanese culture, and our wish for every guest who visits us.
Rice is at the heart of Japanese cuisine.
For centuries, rice fields have symbolized prosperity, abundance, and gratitude in Japan.
Our surname, Masuda (増田), literally means “increasing rice fields.”
As chefs who dedicate our lives to Japanese cuisine, we felt this was an incredibly fortunate and meaningful name that we wanted to preserve.
Before opening the restaurant, we considered names such as:
However, these names felt a little too formal and serious for us.
We wanted a name that felt warmer, friendlier, and more welcoming—something that would make people smile before they even stepped inside.
That is how Masumasu Masuda was born.
In Japanese, the word “masumasu” (ますます) means “more and more,” “increasingly,” or “better and better.”
It expresses growth, happiness, and positive progress.
The word also contains the pronunciation “masu,” which reminds us of one of our signature ingredients—trout (masu).
Every month, our seasonal trout sushi changes according to the condition of the fish and the ingredients available at that time of year.
Through both the name and our cuisine, we hope our guests will discover new seasonal experiences every time they visit.
There is another meaning hidden in our name that many Japanese people find charming.
When the Japanese hiragana characters “ま” (ma) and “す” (su) are written together, they resemble the shape of the kanji “寿” (kotobuki).
“寿” is one of Japan’s most auspicious characters.
It represents happiness, celebration, longevity, and good fortune, and is often seen at weddings and other joyful occasions.
Although this visual connection cannot be translated directly into English, it is one of the reasons our restaurant carries the name Masumasu.
Our goal is not simply to serve delicious food.
We hope that every guest who visits our restaurant will leave with wonderful memories, meaningful connections, and moments that stay with them long after returning home.
The name Masumasu reflects our wish that your happiness will continue to grow…
…that your relationships will become even stronger…
…and that your life will become better and better.
In Japanese cuisine, every ingredient, every season, and every dish has a story.
We believe a restaurant’s name should also tell a story.
Masumasu Masuda represents our family, our philosophy, and our hope that everyone who walks through our doors leaves a little happier than when they arrived.
We look forward to welcoming you to Kyoto and sharing not only our cuisine, but also the meaning behind our name.
ますます増田
住所：京都府京都市上京区旧大宮通中立売上る庇町１８７−１
