貝殻追放 (kaigara tsuihō: ostracism)
shell + nutshell + to drive away + to set free
This breakdown is more than a little difficult to connect to “ostracism.”
The term consists of two compounds: “seashell” (貝殻, kaigara) and “banishment, purge” (追放, tsuihō). That analysis doesn’t help at all.
A Japanese friend has found the answer (or an answer of sorts) in Greek etymology! That is, this rare Japanese word for “ostracism” is apparently a translation from Greek.
When ancient Athenians felt that anyone posed a danger to the state, they would gather together and write that person’s name on a tile or oyster shell (AHA!). If the same name popped up at least 6,000 times, that person had to leave the city within 10 days.
“Ostracism” comes from the Greek ostrakízein (to ostracize), which in turn derives from óstrakon (tile used as ballot). “Ostracism” also bears a relationship to óstreion (oyster, shell).
As long as we’re talking about shells, I thought you might like to see some fresh (photographically speaking) from Costa Rica:
