Introduction: Welcome to the World of Classical Japanese!
When you open your Japanese textbook in Junior High School, you encounter "Kobun" (Classical Japanese) written in ancient language. Many of you might feel, "This is so different from modern words, it looks really difficult..."
It may feel challenging at first, but don't worry! People in ancient times wove their words together just like we do today—being moved by daily events and touched by the changing of the seasons.
In this unit, we will learn the "rules of Classical Japanese (Bungo)" as the foundation for reading classical literature, as well as the pleasant "rhythms unique to Classical Japanese" that are delightful to hear. Let's enjoy appreciating the beautiful melody of the classics by reading them aloud!
[Key Point]
What is important in this unit is not trying to translate every single character in detail from the very beginning, but rather "reading aloud and becoming familiar with the rhythm and sound of ancient words"!
1. What are "Kōgo" (Spoken Language) and "Bungo" (Literary Language)?
What are the differences between the language we use every day and the language of the classics? First, let's organize the two basic types of language.
Modern Language "Kōgo" and Classical Language "Bungo"
Language can be broadly divided into the following two types:
- Kōgo (口語): The modern language that we speak and write in our daily lives.
- Bungo (文語): The ancient written language based mainly on the phrasing and grammar of older periods such as the Heian period.
Classical Japanese (Kobun) is basically written in this "Bungo". Because of this, it has sentence rules (grammatical patterns) that are a little different from the way we normally speak.
Classical Rules Needed for Reading Aloud (Sentence Endings, etc.)
In Bungo, unique words that wrap up a sentence (such as auxiliary verbs) are frequently used. Once you become familiar with these typical sounds, you will be able to recognize where sentences break, making your reading aloud much smoother!
- "... keri" (〜けり): A sound expressing past events, or a moment of realization and exclamation like "Ah, it truly is...!"
- "... tari" (〜たり) / "... ri" (〜り): Sounds expressing an ongoing action or a state that has already been accomplished (aspect/completion).
- "... nari" (〜なり): A sound expressing assertion ("it is...") or hearsay/supposition ("I hear that...", "it seems that...").
When these words appear at the end of a sentence, you can recognize: "Aha, a sentence ends here!"
*Note: Detailed rules for pronunciation (historical kana usage) and how to use vocabulary glosses will be covered in another unit, so for now, it is enough to understand that "there are unique sentence endings and expressions characteristic of ancient language."
2. Enjoying with Your Ears! The Unique Rhythm of Classical Japanese
When you read classical texts, poems, or songs aloud, you might notice a unique, pleasant tempo that modern writing doesn't have. What is the secret behind this comfortable rhythm?
The Traditional Rhythm of Japanese: Five and Seven Moras
In our nation's linguistic culture, the basic units of sound that have been loved since ancient times are "five moras (go-on)" and "seven moras (shichi-on)".
Japanese has a natural characteristic: when the number of sounds is arranged into \(5\) and \(7\) moras, it creates a balanced cadence that is easy to hear, easy to catch the rhythm of, and easy to memorize.
The Two Major Rhythms: "Go-Shichi-Chō" and "Shichi-Go-Chō"
There are mainly two patterns for combining five and seven moras:
① Go-Shichi-Chō (五七調: 5-7 rhythm)
- Pattern: A rhythm that repeats in the order of "5 moras, 7 moras, 5 moras, 7 moras..."
- Impression: Gives a powerful, dignified, rustic, and crisp impression.
② Shichi-Go-Chō (七五調: 7-5 rhythm)
- Pattern: A rhythm that repeats in the order of "7 moras, 5 moras, 7 moras, 5 moras..."
- Impression: Gives a smooth, flowing, elegant, and friendly impression.
[Trivia]
In fact, many 5- and 7-mora rhythms are hidden all around us today!
For example, traffic safety slogans, TV commercial catchphrases, famous anime taglines, and cheer cheers often use "5-7-5" or "7-5" rhythms. From ancient times to the present day, people in Japan have naturally felt that this arrangement of sounds is pleasing to the ear.
Tips for Counting the Number of Moras (Sounds)
When counting the number of sounds, it is helpful to fold your fingers as you count. However, pay attention to how the following sounds are counted:
- Sokuon (促音: small "っ"): Counted as \(1\) mora. (e.g., "sa-p-pa-ri" (さ・っ・ぱ・り) = \(4\) moras)
- Hatsuon (撥音: "ん"): Counted as \(1\) mora. (e.g., "a-n-shi-n" (あ・ん・し・ん) = \(4\) moras)
- Chōon (長音: long vowel sound "ー"): Counted as \(1\) mora. (e.g., "ko-o-to" (コ・ー・ト) = \(3\) moras)
- Yōon (拗音: small "ゃ", "ゅ", "ょ"): Counted as \(1\) mora together with the preceding character. (e.g., "kyo-u" (きょ・う) = \(2\) moras, "shu-n-bu-n" (しゅ・ん・ぶ・ん) = \(4\) moras)
3. Savoring the Sound! Steps for Reading Aloud
The fastest shortcut to understanding classical texts and poetry deeply is "reading aloud". In the past, people didn't just read books silently (reading in their minds without making a sound); it was common to read aloud and enjoy listening with their ears.
3 Steps for Effective Reading Aloud
Step 1: Grasp the units of meaning
Check punctuation marks (commas and periods) and sentence-ending words to see where the meaning pauses or ends.
Step 2: Be conscious of the cadence (5-mora and 7-mora rhythm)
Try chanting rhythmically while keeping a steady tempo, as if you are keeping time to a beat.
Step 3: Adjust your tone of voice and pausing
Don't rush to read quickly; take proper pauses (ma) at breaks between clauses and read at a relaxed pace while savoring the resonance of the words.
[Common Mistakes]
- Taking an awkward breath in the middle of a word
If you pause for breath right in the middle of a single word, both the rhythm and the meaning will break down. Be mindful to read up to the end of a unit of meaning (a phrase or clause) before breathing in.
- Reading flatly like a modern news broadcast
Classical texts have their own unique "cadence" (an intonation like a melody). If you add a slight inflection and feel the musicality of the phrasing, it will instantly sound much more authentic!
4. Becoming Familiar with Diverse Classical Works
In the world of the classics, there are works in various genres that make great use of rhythm. In Junior High School Japanese classes, we will explore their unique characteristics and experience a wide variety of works.
- Poetry (Tanka, Haiku, etc.): Short literature that condenses the rhythm of 5 and 7 moras to express the beauty of nature and human emotions.
- Tales (Monogatari): Works that narrate characters' actions and the unfolding of events in vivid, rhythmic prose.
- Essays (Zuihitsu): Works where authors freely recorded what they saw and heard in daily life, the shifting of the four seasons, and the wonders of nature from their own unique perspectives.
Depending on the genre, some have a powerful narrative rhythm, while others have a smooth, beautifully calm rhythm. When you read aloud the works featured in your textbook, listen closely and ask yourself, "What kind of rhythm does this piece have?"
Summary: Make Classical Rhythms Your Own!
◎ Bungo is the written language used in classical texts, characterized by specific sentence endings such as "... keri", "... tari", and "... nari".
◎ At the foundation of the sound of Japanese classics lies a pleasant rhythm made of "five moras" and "seven moras" (Go-Shichi-Chō and Shichi-Go-Chō).
◎ When studying the classics, the very first step toward improvement is to straighten your posture and read aloud!
As you read aloud repeatedly, the beautiful, unique rhythm of the classics will naturally stick in your mind even before you memorize the grammar rules. Please experience the joy of reading out loud!