Classical Text Reading

【Common Test Prep】Classical Japanese Reading: A Guide to Properly Decoding Narratives

Hello everyone! Are you struggling with thoughts like, "I have no idea what these old texts are saying..."? To us, Classical Japanese might feel like a foreign language. But don't worry! There are fixed rules for identifying "who did what." In these notes, I'll break down reading comprehension tips for the Common Test in a way that’s easy even for beginners. It might feel difficult at first, but let’s master it together like solving a puzzle!

1. Magic Rules to Never Lose Track of the "Subject (Who)"

The trickiest part of reading Classical Japanese is that the subject is often omitted. If you don't know who laughed or who cried, you won't be able to follow the story. Here are three weapons to help you identify the subject.

① The Particles "te/shite" and "o/ni/ga/ba"

Pay attention to the particles in the middle of sentences. These alone can help you predict whether the subject will change.
・"~te" and "~shite" are often followed by the same subject.
(Example) "The man leaves the house te goes to Kyoto." -> Both "leaving the house" and "going" are done by "the man."
・"~o," "~ni," "~ga," and "~ba" (Remember them as the "Oni ga ba" rule!) are often followed by a change in subject.
(Example) "If the man laughs ba, the woman also laughs." -> While the one who "laughed" first is the "man," the subject afterwards changes to the "woman."

② Use Honorifics as a "Radar"

This is the most important point in reading comprehension! Honorifics aren't just for manners; they are markers to identify the characters.
・Honorifics (Respected/Exalted): Used when the subject is a person of high status (an Emperor, aristocrat, etc.).
・Humble Language: Used when the "target" of the action is a person of high status.
In short, if you see an honorific like "tamau," you know the subject is someone of high status.

【Pro Tip】
Whenever you see honorifics in dialogue, get into the habit of asking, "Who is showing respect to whom?" Once you grasp this, the human relationships will suddenly become clear!

③ Contextual Clues and Conjunctions

Use conjunctions like "Sate" (well then) or "Saru wa" (the reason is), and try to infer from the situation immediately preceding. Just like we say in modern language, "I'm hungry, so (I) ate a meal," focus on the natural flow of the story.

【Summary so far】
If you lose track of the subject, check if the preceding particle is "te" or "o/ni/ga/ba," and use the presence of honorifics to narrow down the social status!

2. A Must for the Common Test! Master the Mechanism of "Honorifics"

Many students struggle with honorifics, but you really only need to remember these three types. Let’s think about them using daily conversation as an analogy.

Honorific Language (Elevating the other party)

Words that elevate the "subject." Similar to "nasaru" (to do) or "o~ni naru" in modern Japanese.
Example: The Emperor "notamau" (says/speaks).
(Analogy: Like an elevator lifting someone up.)

Humble Language (Lowering yourself)

Words that elevate the "recipient" of the action. By lowering yourself, you relatively raise the other person.
Example: A servant "kikoyu" (humbly tells/speaks) to the Emperor.
(Analogy: Like kneeling before someone.)

Polite Language (Considering the listener)

Words used to speak politely to the "listener" (or reader). Common examples at the end of sentences are "~haberi" and "~saburafu."
Example: "~de gozaimasu" (It is).

【Trivia】Two-Way Respect
Sometimes, like in "kikoe-sase-tamau," humble and honorific forms are used together. This is a very polite expression that "respects the recipient" (via humble language) while "respecting the subject" (via honorific language). This structure appears often on the Common Test, so stay calm and break it down!

3. Tips for Decoding "Waka" Poetry

Waka suddenly appearing in the middle of a story might make you want to skip them, thinking, "What is this, a poem?" In fact, these are super-important parts packed with the characters' true intentions and emotions.

Learn the Rhetorical Techniques

Waka poetry has certain set patterns.
・Kakekotoba (Pivot Words): Like a pun where one word holds two meanings.
Example: "Matsu" -> Means both "pine tree" and "to wait."
・Engo (Associated Words): A technique using related words as a set.
Example: If the word "ito" (thread) appears, words like "midaru" (to tangle) or "yoru" (to twist) will be used nearby.

When you see Waka, focus on the "surrounding text"!

Even if the poem itself is difficult, there should be an explanation right before it saying, "composed for the reason that..." or right after it saying, "was moved upon hearing this." The content of the poem is often just a paraphrase of the situation at that moment.

【Pro Tip】
Identify "who sent the poem to whom." Is it a love letter? A farewell message? Knowing that means you already understand half of the content!

4. Common Mistakes and Countermeasures

Let's check the pitfalls that often trap test-takers.

× Assuming it means the same as modern language
"Odoroku" in Classical Japanese doesn't mean "to be surprised," but "to wake up." "Arigatashi" doesn't mean "thank you," but "rare/precious." Always check essential classical vocabulary (about 300–600 words) in a dedicated vocabulary book.

× Missing the end of dialogue
Classical Japanese doesn't use " " (quotation marks). You need to train yourself to identify where a line of dialogue ends by looking for markers like "~to (namu)" or "~to ifu" (he/she says).

5. Steps for Smooth Reading Comprehension

When solving problems, try the following steps instead of diving straight into the text.

STEP 1: Read the lead passage (introduction) carefully
The small print explanation before the main text is packed with clues to the correct answer, such as character names, human relationships, and the setting. Skipping this is like setting off on an adventure without a map!

STEP 2: Check the annotations
If you look at the explanations (annotations) for difficult words at the bottom or sides of the page first, it becomes easier to predict the story from those words.

STEP 3: Jot down a character relationship map
Just writing a simple note in the margins, like "Emperor → (loves) → Court Lady," helps prevent confusion.

【Final Thought】
Classical Japanese is a fascinating subject where the more you read, the more you understand the way of thinking and the humor of people back then. Just by being conscious of "identifying the subject" and "honorific rules," your perspective will change completely. Let's move forward steadily, one step at a time! I'm rooting for you!

Important Summary for this lesson:
・Check for subject changes using particles (te, o, ni, ga, ba)!
・Honorifics are your "radar" for identifying the subject and the recipient!
・Read Waka together with the surrounding context to grasp the emotions!
・Treat the lead passage and annotations as tips from the gods and read them carefully!