Hatsue (初枝) is a Japanese feminine given name. Its meaning is derived from the kanji characters 初 (hatsu, "first, original, beginning") and 絵 (e, "picture"). Other kanji combinations can also form this name. Notable Bearers Hatsue Nagakubo-Takamizawa (born 1935), Japanese speed skater who competed in the 1960 Winter Olympics. Hatsue Ono (1898–2012), Japanese supercentenarian who lived to 113 years old. Hatsue Yuasa (born 1902), Japanese operatic soprano. Cultural Significance Hatsue appears as a character name in literature. In Yukio Mishima's The Sound of Waves, a young girl named Hatsue serves as a pivotal romantic interest. In David Guterson's novel Snow Falling on Cedars, a character named Hatsue is central to the courtroom drama. Meaning: "First picture"Origin: JapaneseUsage: Japanese feminine given nameKanji: 初枝 (common compound)