Early Analysis of Japanese: Fujitani Nariakira's Ayuishoo
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Date
2022-02
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ohio State University. Libraries
Abstract
Fujitani Nariakira was a pioneering linguist of Edo Japan. In the early stages of kokugogaku development, he conducted groundbreaking analyses of the language. In Ayuishoo, one of his primary works, he details an elaborate analysis of particles and auxiliary verbs. He provides the first systematic classification of word types, based on function. He also provides an analysis of the conjugation system. In Ayuishoo, he gives a detailed analysis of over 200 linguistic elements, explaining the meaning and use of each item, cites poetry showing applications of each, and shows how each is manifested in the colloquial Japanese of his time. In all, he includes over 600 poems, drawing from over 70 sources from Japanese literature. His work spans studies of language, linguistics and literature. His methodology and his work are also applicable in the pedagogy of teaching premodern Japanese today. This paper discusses Ayuishoo and its significance.
Description
Keywords
Fujitani Nariakira, Ayuishoo, kokugogaku, premodern Japanese
Citation
Warnick, J. Paul. "Early Analysis of Japanese: Fujitani Nariakira's Ayuishoo." Buckeye East Asia: Occasional Papers, vol. 1 (February 2022), p. 136-146.