Posted by Noel Chiappa (90.230.84.11) on June 25, 2010 at 22:15:35:
I am trying to understand the difference between the so-called 'ya-gō' (号屋) and 'dō-gō' (堂屋) publisher names.
They both seem to have the same general meaning, which is 'store name', but it seems that most publishers have one of each (with the appropriate '-ya' or '-dō' ending). So, what is the difference, and why do most publishers seem to have one of each?
One possibility that crossed my mind is that one translation I see given for 'dō' is 'firm', whereas 'ya' can also mean 'house', so I was wondering if the 'ya-gō' had more of a sense of location (the physical store), whereas the 'dō-gō' was purely a name for the business (in an abstract sense)?
Does anyone know more? Thanks!