【Japanese Language Arts】 Grade 1: Getting to Know Classical Literature 〜A Time Travel to the World of 1,000 Years Ago!〜
Hello everyone! Today, we’re starting our study of "Classical Literature" (Koten).
Many of you might be thinking, "Classical Japanese is full of difficult words, and I'm not really into it..." But don't worry! Everyone feels the same way at the start.
Classical literature is, so to speak, "a message written by people from the past." It’s like a time machine that lets us see what made people laugh and what moved them over 1,000 years ago. Let's have fun and take a peek into the world of the past together!
It might feel tricky at first, but once you learn the rules, it’s just like solving a puzzle. You’ve got this—let’s take it one step at a time!
1. What is "Classical Literature" (Koten)?
Classical Literature refers to works written long ago that have been read and cherished for centuries because they are considered "masterpieces."
In the first year of junior high school, we will mainly be looking at works from the Heian period (about 1,000 years ago) and the Nara period (about 1,300 years ago).
【Why do we study classical literature?】
・To learn how modern Japanese was formed.
・To understand the mindset of people from the past and learn about traditional Japanese culture.
・To feel the "human heart," which remains the same even as eras change.
💡Fun Fact:
"Princess Kaguya" (The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter), which everyone knows, is actually a great example of a classical work!
2. The Biggest Hurdle! Master "Historical Kana Usage"
The most confusing thing when reading classical texts is that the spelling and pronunciation are different. This is called Historical Kana Usage.
However, there are set rules. Let's focus on the points that come up most often!
① "Ha, Hi, Fu, He, Ho" (except at the beginning of a word)
When these appear anywhere other than the beginning of a word, read them as "wa, i, u, e, o."
・iha (rock) → iwa
・kohi (love) → koi
・ifu (to say) → iu
・mahe (front) → mae
・kaho (face) → kao
② How to read "wi, we, wo"
You can read these just like modern Japanese!
・wi → i
・we → e
・wo → o (※We still use this one today!)
③ How to read "di, du"
・di → ji
・du → zu
・momidi (maple leaf) → momiji
④ How to read "kuwa, guwa"
・kuwa → ka
・guwa → ga
・kuwashi (confectionery) → kashi
⑤ Small "tsu (っ), ya (ゃ), yu (ゅ), yo (ょ)" are written as full-sized characters
In the past, they didn't use small characters. When reading, we adjust to modern rules.
・tefufu → chouchou (butterfly) (※This also includes the "fu" to "u" change rule)
・wokashiu → wokashiku (※We will learn more about this in class!)
★Pro-tip:
When in doubt, try reading it out loud! When you hear it, you'll realize it's surprisingly close to the language we use today.
Common Mistake:
Don't turn all "ha-hi-fu-he-ho" into "wa-i-u-e-o"! The start of a word remains as is.
(Example) "Hana" (flower) stays as "Hana," not "Wana."
3. Famous Works You’ll Meet in 1st Grade
Here are some essential works that often appear in first-year textbooks.
・"The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter" (Taketori Monogatari)
It is said to be the oldest story in Japan (the origin of all stories). It starts with the famous phrase, "Now, long ago, there lived an old bamboo cutter..."
【Content】 A story about Princess Kaguya, who was born from a bamboo stalk, grew up, and eventually returned to the moon.
・"The Pillow Book" (Makura no Soshi)
Written by Sei Shonagon. It is a "zuihitsu" (essay) from the Heian period.
【Content】 Starting with "In spring, the dawn," this work captures the beautiful moments of the four seasons. Sei Shonagon's keen sense of aesthetics really shines here.
・Waka Poems (e.g., "Kokin Wakashu")
These are poems that express feelings using 31 syllables (5-7-5-7-7).
Just like how we use SNS or LINE today, people in the past used Waka to send messages and express their feelings to each other.
💡Fun Fact:
Back then, when people wanted to tell someone they liked how they felt, they would write a Waka poem, attach it to a beautiful branch, and have it delivered. How romantic is that?
4. Tips for Reading: Enjoy the Rhythm
Classical texts often have a great rhythm, such as the 7-5 syllable meter. Even if you don't understand the meaning at first, try reading it out loud and enjoying the rhythm.
【Steps for Reading Aloud】
1. First, read slowly, paying attention to the Historical Kana Usage.
2. Be conscious of where the words naturally break.
3. Imagine you are someone from the past and try reading with emotion!
★Pro-tip:
You will often see the word "wokashi." It’s a magic word packed with positive meanings like "interesting," "charming," "cute," or "wonderful." It’s close to the modern feeling of "emo" (emotional/vibe)!
5. Key Takeaways
・Classical literature is like a treasure chest of messages left by people of the past.
・Historical Kana Usage has set rules (e.g., "ha-hi-fu-he-ho" → "wa-i-u-e-o").
・Learn the titles and authors of famous works like The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter and The Pillow Book as a set.
・Even if you don't understand the meaning, reading aloud to get used to the rhythm is the shortcut to improvement!
You might think, "It’s like a foreign language!" at first, but once you get used to it, you’ll start to feel a connection, realizing, "People from 1,000 years ago worried and rejoiced over the same things I do."
Let’s take it one step at a time and enjoy our journey through the world of classical literature!