【Language and Culture】Welcome to the World of Classical Japanese: Learning the Basics
Hello, everyone! Today, we begin our study of "Kobun" (Classical Japanese). Many of you might be thinking, "Kobun is totally different from modern Japanese and looks really difficult..." But don't worry!
Kobun is actually like a "1000-year-old time capsule." It is the key to understanding what made people back then laugh and what moved their hearts. It might feel like a foreign language at first, but once you get the hang of it, you'll start to see the connections to modern Japanese, and it will surely become fun.
Let’s start from the very basics and take it one step at a time!
1. Master Historical Kana Usage
The first hurdle to reading Classical Japanese is how to read it. There are rules that differ slightly from modern writing. This is called "Historical Kana Usage" (Rekkishiteki Kanazukai). But don't worry—there are only a few rules! Once you memorize these, you'll be able to read Kobun.
● Super Important! Basic Reading Rules
① "Ha, Hi, Fu, He, Ho" in the middle or end of a word are read as "Wa, I, U, E, O"!
(Example) Kaha → "Kawa"
(Example) Omofu → "Omou"
(Example) Nihohi → "Niooi"
*Note: If they appear at the very beginning of a word, they are read as "Ha, Hi, Fu, He, Ho" as normal.
② How to read "Wi, We, Wo"
・"Wi" → "i"
・"We" → "e"
・"Wo" → "o"
*Note: While we still use "Wo" today, in Classical Japanese, it is also used inside words.
③ "Di, Du" are read as "Ji, Zu"
(Example) Adikinashi → "Ajikinashi"
(Example) Tuduku → "Suzuku" (*The pronunciation is the same as the modern "zu")
④ "Kuwa, Guwa" are read as "Ka, Ga"
(Example) Kuwashi → "Kashi" (referring to a snack/confection)
💡 Tip: The quickest way to improve is to read aloud while carefully checking one character at a time!
🌟 Trivia: There is a theory that people in the past pronounced "ha" closer to a "pa" sound. Over time, the pronunciation shifted to sounds that were easier to say.
2. Pay Attention to Changes in Word Meanings!
In Classical Japanese, there are "traps" where a word looks exactly like modern Japanese but has a "completely different meaning." If you don't know these, you might end up understanding the story in the exact opposite way!
● Common "Misunderstood" Words
・"Utsukushi"
Modern: Beautiful
Classical: "Cute" or "Adorable"
*Frequently used for small things or children.
・"Okashi"
Modern: Funny/Comical
Classical: "Charming," "Interesting," or "Wonderful"
*A famous term from "The Pillow Book." It is used broadly with a positive connotation.
・"Arigatashi"
Modern: Thank you
Classical: "Rare" or "Difficult (to live/exist)"
*It comes from "Ari" (to exist) + "Katashi" (difficult). It means it is difficult to find or experience, hence it is "rare/precious."
💡 Tip: Make a habit of questioning, "Could the meaning be different from today?"
3. The Gateway to Grammar: What is "Conjugation" (Katsuyou)?
The part of Classical Japanese that everyone struggles with most is "conjugation." However, the concept is simple. It just means the word "changes its form to get along with the words that follow it."
For example, in modern Japanese, "Kaku" (to write) changes to "Kaka-nai," "Kaki-masu," "Kaku," "Kaku-toki," "Kake-ba," and "Kakou." Classical Japanese works exactly the same way.
● Types of Verb Conjugations
There are 9 types of verb conjugations in Classical Japanese, but these 3 are super important to start with!
① Yodan (Four-stage) Conjugation
The most common type. The sounds change as "A, I, U, U, E, E."
(Example) Kaku: Kaka(a), Kaki(i), Kaku(u), Kaku(u), Kake(e), Kake(e)
② Henkaku (Irregular) Conjugation
These have special forms—the so-called "exceptions." Let's start by memorizing "Ka-hen" and "Sa-hen"!
・Ka-column Irregular Conjugation: Only the word "Ku" (to come)!
・Sa-column Irregular Conjugation: Includes words like "Su" (to do) and "Ohasu" (to be/come/go—honorific).
💡 Advice: Don't worry about memorizing everything at once! Learn one identification trick at a time, such as: "If I add 'zu' (not) after the verb and it turns into an 'A' sound, it's a Yodan conjugation!"
4. Auxiliary Verbs (Jodoushi): The Spice that Determines the "Feeling" of a Sentence
Classical Japanese has many "auxiliary verbs" that attach to the end of words to add meaning. Once you understand these, you can instantly grasp the nuance of a sentence.
● Two Auxiliary Verbs to Learn First
① "Keri": Past/Exclamation (Eitan)
・"~ed" (Past)
・"~indeed" or "I see that..." (Exclamation)
*Commonly used at the end of stories or in Waka poetry. It contains the feeling of discovery, like "Oh, so that's how it was!"
② "Zu": Negation (Uchikeshi)
・"~do not" or "not"
*Denotes a negative meaning. Once you identify this, you know whether the answer is yes or no.
⚠️ Common Mistake: Don't assume "Keri" is just a simple past tense marker! Be careful, because in dialogue or poetry, it often expresses an "emotional realization (I see!)" discovered in the moment.
5. The Background of Kobun: Knowing the "Common Sense" of the Time
In "Language and Culture" class, we study not just the language, but the culture of the era. Knowing how people lived back then makes Kobun feel much more real.
● "Romance" and "Waka" in the Heian Period
For the nobles of the time, "Waka" poetry was like LINE or social media today.
Before actually meeting someone, you would send a beautiful poem to express your feelings. Was your handwriting beautiful? What kind of paper did you use? What words did you choose? It was an era where your sense of poetry was a crucial factor in how you were evaluated.
🌟 Trivia: A "Waka" consists of 31 sounds in a 5-7-5-7-7 structure. People packed their overflowing emotions and seasonal scenery into a very limited number of characters. It might be similar to the feeling of posting a short text on X (formerly Twitter).
Summary: 3 Steps to Mastering Classical Japanese
1. Master the rules of Historical Kana Usage so you can read aloud!
2. Prioritize memorizing words that have different meanings from today (Utsukushi, Okashi, etc.)!
3. Read while imagining the situation: "Who did what to whom?"
At first, Classical Japanese might feel like decoding a secret message, but as you get used to it, you'll start to feel a sense of closeness, realizing that people 1000 years ago were worried about the same things and falling in love just like us.
Don't rush—try starting with just one short sentence! I'm rooting for you!