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Hazel who?
Since getting heavily involved with Hazel back in 2004, he seems to have as many variations on his last name as I do (trust me, if you know me well, you know the hell I have with people making variations and misspelling on my surname)
Firstly, Hazel Glosse seemed to be the name of choice. I am not sure how I came upon knowing this as a last name, I think the first time I heard it was on the website, Echoes from the West. Never one to question the hard hard work of translating Zero Sum and the like, (it is not as if I could do it) I happily accepted Hazel's last name.
I then purchased the Singaporean publication of Saiyuki Reload, in English. This new interpretation has a new, Italian/Polish/Cyprus spin to Hazel's last name:
When I lived in Italy, I actually used to drink a bottled water by the name of Goccia, so with that in mind, Hazel's new name would be pronounced "GRO-CHEE-AH" However as I said, I also found Polish references to this name as well as ones from Cyprus.
I must say, I really enjoyed This Singapore publication as it really brought Hazel to life as no anime sub could do yet. I thoroughly enjoy his eloquent, rich vocabulary. This to me, is only how Hazel could communicate!
In dealing with youkai...
In meeting Sanzo....
However, Hazel "'true" last name, is Grouse.
According to the newly published book, "Saiyuubito," Minekura-sensei decided to continue the "bird" theme which started with "Ukoku" (Sanzo). After giving him the first name of Hazel, she bestowed the surname "Grouse," which came about as a result of the term "ezo raichou." In English, this particular type of bird translates to "hazel grouse."
In case you are curious as to how Minekura-sensei came up with the
name "Hazel," it was not hazel nuts or Witch Hazel (LOL). His name in
katakana ("Heizeru") is a combination of the word "Beisun" (a
smooth and fruity 25-percent-alcohol barley hooch!) and the word "enzeru,"
which is a katakana spelling of "angel."
These last two name facts came from the very smashingly fantastic site, Journey To The Rest,
a most worthy place to visit.
