Research on the Cultural Significance of Chinese Characters in Japan

Author: Liu Yuanman
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-07-01
Features: This book is divided into five chapters. The first chapter is a review of the study of Chinese character culture. Chinese character culture studies have become a research discipline in China, and Japan is also in the early stages of developing research on Chinese character culture. As background knowledge, an introduction to the status of Japanese character studies is also provided. The second chapter primarily discusses the channels through which Chinese characters entered Japan and the use of Chinese characters by "Koreamizers," examining the formation and development of Chinese character elements in Japan using archaeological research findings and ancient literature. The third chapter analyzes the process of variation and integration of Chinese characters in Japan. After the Japanese made various modifications and adaptations to the form, sound, and meaning of Chinese characters, they gradually achieved the localization of Chinese characters. In this process, people's awareness and understanding of Chinese characters also gradually developed and strengthened. The fourth chapter explores the different manifestations of the cultural significance of Chinese characters in the upper class and the general populace. The upper class, such as the imperial system with the emperor and the development of era names, as well as the use of standard Chinese characters, reflects the strong characteristics of Chinese character culture. The general society, on the other hand, shows changes in the use of characters in names and place names, the meaning and usage of the character "oni," the popularity of certain character groups among the people, and the entertainment aspects brought by Chinese characters, all of which highlight the distinctive features of Chinese character culture in Japan. Chinese character culture plays a pillar-like role in Japanese society. The fifth chapter discusses the correlation and influence of the meanings of Chinese characters between China and Japan in modern times, and also provides a relatively comprehensive introduction to the reform of writing systems. To facilitate reading for Chinese researchers and readers, some Japanese character materials have been translated and compiled, listed as appendices.