[Grade 9 Japanese] Classics and Kanbun Tips: Connecting with the Hearts of People from the Past!

Hello everyone! In Grade 9 Japanese, we will deepen the knowledge of classics and Kanbun (Classical Chinese) we’ve learned so far to gain a richer appreciation for these literary worlds.
You might feel that "old language is difficult," but don't worry! In reality, people living over 1,000 years ago struggled with love, found beauty in travel, and felt emotions just like we do today.
In these notes, I’ll break down the important points of classics and Kanbun for ninth graders in a way that’s easy to understand.

1. Enjoying the World of Classics (Kobun/Classical Japanese)

① Experiencing the Scenes of Travel: "Oku no Hosomichi"

One of the most important works in Grade 9 classical Japanese is Matsuo Basho's "Oku no Hosomichi" (The Narrow Road to the Deep North). This is a travelogue recording the journey Basho took with his disciple, Kawai Sora, through the Tohoku and Hokuriku regions.

【Key Points】
・The opening phrase, "Tsukihi wa hakutai no kakaku ni shite..." is super famous. It means: "The days and months are like eternal travelers, and the years that come and go are also travelers."
・Basho captured the fleeting beauty and emotions he felt during his travels into "Haiku."
・The concept of "Fueki Ryuko" (Eternal and Changing): Basho's philosophy that both the unchanging essence (Fueki) and the things that change in search of novelty (Ryuko) are important.

💡 Fun Fact:
It is said that Basho actually sold his house when he left for this trip! You can really see the firm resolve he had, knowing he might never return.

② Feeling the Weight of History: "The Tale of the Heike"

Beginning with "The sound of the Gion Shoja bell...", this is a war epic describing the prosperity and fall of the Taira clan. In the third year of junior high, more advanced reading comprehension is required.

【Point: Mujokan (Transience)】
This is the philosophical view that everything in this world is constantly changing and nothing lasts forever. Remember this along with the phrase "Josha Hissui" (The prosperous must surely decline).

🌟 Tips for Studying:
When reading classical Japanese, the secret is to keep track of "who the subject is." Since subjects are often omitted, try reading while asking yourself, "Who is performing this action?" This will make the story much easier to understand!

2. Mastering the Rules of Kanbun (Classical Chinese)

Kanbun is ancient Chinese writing that was adapted by the Japanese to make it easier to read. Once you memorize the rules, you can enjoy reading them like solving a puzzle!

① Basic Rules of Kundoku (Reading in Japanese)

The marks used to read Kanbun in Japanese word order are called "Kunten." In the third year, let's make sure to review even the complex return marks (Kaeriten).

  • Re-ten (レ点): Read from the character immediately below, then return to the one above; you move back only one character.
  • Ichi-Ni (・San) ten (一・二点): Return from the "Ni" mark to the "Ichi" mark. It’s okay if other characters are in between!
  • Jo-Chu-Ge ten (上・中・下点): Used when you need to return across a section that already uses Ichi-Ni points.

【Example of Reading Order】
If you want to read in the order \( \text{A} \rightarrow \text{C} \rightarrow \text{B} \), you place a "Re-ten" next to B.
If you want to read in the order \( \text{A} \rightarrow \text{C} \rightarrow \text{D} \rightarrow \text{B} \), you place a "Ni-ten" on B and an "Ichi-ten" on D.

② Unique Kanbun Patterns (Kuho)

Here are some important patterns that appear frequently in Grade 9.

● Negation (~do not): Uses characters like "不" (fu), "非" (hi), or "無" (mu).
● Interrogation/Rhetorical Questions (~is it not?): Be careful when you see characters like "何" (nan/nani), "安" (izu-kunzo), or "孰" (izure).
In particular, "Rhetorical Questions" are often tested because they carry a strong negative meaning, like "How could it be that...?" (implying "It is definitely not so").

⚠️ Common Mistake:
Don't accidentally skip over the character "不" (fu) as part of a word (like in "unnatural"). In Kanbun, it is read as "zu" and is an essential particle indicating the negation of an action.

3. Enjoying the World of Kanshi (Chinese Poetry)

In Grade 9, you will learn poems by famous Chinese poets like Du Fu and Li Bai.

① Rules of Kanshi

  • Number of lines: 4 lines is a "Zekku," 8 lines is a "Risshi."
  • Number of characters per line: 5 characters is "Gogon," 7 characters is "Shichigon."
  • Example: 5 characters x 4 lines = "Gogon Zekku."

② Rhyming (Oin)

Kanshi has a rule called "Oin" (rhyming) to balance the rhythm. Usually, the last characters of even-numbered lines have the same sound.

💡 Point:
In Du Fu's "Shunbo" (Spring View), the line "The country is broken, but mountains and rivers remain..." contrasts the city devastated by war with the nature that remains unchanged. When reading Kanshi, focusing on this "contrast" helps you understand the author's feelings.

Summary: 3 Steps to Master Classics and Kanbun

1. Read Aloud!
Rhythm is very important for both classical Japanese and Chinese poetry. By reading aloud, the phrasing and atmosphere will naturally sink in.

2. Understand with Modern Translations!
First, grasp the general story. Your goal is to be able to explain, "In other words, the story is like this," in your own words.

3. Use Your Finger to Track Return Marks!
At first, trace the characters with your finger to check where you should jump when using Re-ten or Ichi-Ni points. Once you get used to it, you'll be able to read them in an instant!

It might feel difficult at first, but you’ll be fine! People in the past were just like us—getting excited about the changing seasons or feeling sad about saying goodbye to friends. Focus on that "heart" and enjoy the world of classics!