近代日本語近代日本語Modern Day JapaneseModern Day Japanese

1868 - Present1868 - Present

Historical OverviewHistorical Overview

The Meiji Restoration The Meiji Restoration 明治維新 明治維新 Satsuma and Chōshū form alliance against Satsuma and Chōshū form alliance against

shogunate; support Emperor Kōmeishogunate; support Emperor Kōmei Kōmei dies; Meiji (Matsuhito) ascends to throne Kōmei dies; Meiji (Matsuhito) ascends to throne

at 14, at 14, 元老（げんろう）元老（げんろう） had real powerhad real power First 15 years of reform (Charter Oath, land First 15 years of reform (Charter Oath, land

taxes, emphasis on textiles, conscript army)taxes, emphasis on textiles, conscript army) Feudal class system officially abolished in 1972Feudal class system officially abolished in 1972 Imported political, social, economic, literary Imported political, social, economic, literary

ideas from western powers in order to ideas from western powers in order to modernize, sent students abroadmodernize, sent students abroad

New sense of nationalismNew sense of nationalism

Compulsory EducationCompulsory Education

1872 Primary education became 1872 Primary education became mandatorymandatory

1885 Ministry of Education established1885 Ministry of Education established Spelling reforms for education purposes Spelling reforms for education purposes

(hentaigana, simpler spelling for Sino-(hentaigana, simpler spelling for Sino-Japanese words)Japanese words)

Pro-state education led to new sense of Pro-state education led to new sense of nationalismnationalism

Later Meiji Period Later Meiji Period

1889 Meiji Constitution (parliament 1889 Meiji Constitution (parliament responsible to the emperor, emperor in responsible to the emperor, emperor in charge of all of all acts of war/peace)charge of all of all acts of war/peace)

1894-95 First Sino-Japanese Wa1894-95 First Sino-Japanese Wa ｒｒ 1904-1905 Russo-Japanese War1904-1905 Russo-Japanese War 1910 Annexation of Korea 1910 Annexation of Korea

Literature During Meiji Literature During Meiji Influenced by influx of translated Western literatureInfluenced by influx of translated Western literature RealismRealism

坪内 逍遥 （つぼうちしょうよう）”坪内 逍遥 （つぼうちしょうよう）” Essence of the Novel” Essence of the Novel” 小説小説真髄 真髄 18851885

二葉亭四迷（ふたばていしめい）二葉亭四迷（ふたばていしめい） Floating CloudsFloating Clouds 浮雲 浮雲 18871887 硯友社 硯友社 Writing society containingWriting society containing 尾崎 紅葉（おざきこ尾崎 紅葉（おざきこ

うよう）うよう） 18901890 Naturalism influenced by French naturalismNaturalism influenced by French naturalism

島崎 藤村（しまざきとそん）島崎 藤村（しまざきとそん） The Broken CommandmentThe Broken Commandment ははかい かい 19061906

夏目漱石（なつめそうせき）夏目漱石（なつめそうせき） I am a CatI am a Cat わがはねこでわがはねこである ある 19051905

森 鴎外（もりおおがい）森 鴎外（もりおおがい） literary criticism, tankaliterary criticism, tanka

Taisho Period ( Taisho Period ( 大正時代大正時代 ) and ) and WWI (WWI ( 第一次世界大戦第一次世界大戦 ))

Responded to British request for aid against Responded to British request for aid against Germany in 1914Germany in 1914

Opportunity to increase power in China, take Opportunity to increase power in China, take over German-controlled islands in south pacificover German-controlled islands in south pacific

Treaty with Russia consolidated power in Treaty with Russia consolidated power in Manchuria and MongoliaManchuria and Mongolia

Wartime industry (supplied materials for Allies, Wartime industry (supplied materials for Allies, increased exports, inflation)increased exports, inflation)

Request for racial equality denied at Paris Peace Request for racial equality denied at Paris Peace Conference/Treaty of VersaillesConference/Treaty of Versailles

Economy after the WarEconomy after the War

Wartime economy collapsed; Japan went Wartime economy collapsed; Japan went back to debtor nationback to debtor nation

Depression in West affected export Depression in West affected export industryindustry

1923 Great Kantō Earthquake1923 Great Kantō Earthquake 1924 Japanese Exclusion Act 1924 Japanese Exclusion Act Mindset turned to extreme nationalism and Mindset turned to extreme nationalism and

militarismmilitarism

Taisho LiteratureTaisho Literature

芥川 龍之介（あくたがわりゅうのすけ）芥川 龍之介（あくたがわりゅうのすけ） Father of Japanese short storyFather of Japanese short story Disciple of SōsekiDisciple of Sōseki

Showa Period (Showa Period ( 昭和時代昭和時代 ) and ) and WWII/Pacific War (WWII/Pacific War ( 太平洋戦争太平洋戦争 ))

1931 Manchurian Incident1931 Manchurian Incident 1937 Second Sino-Japanese War began (Marco Polo 1937 Second Sino-Japanese War began (Marco Polo

bridge incidentbridge incident 1941 Attack on Pearl Harbor1941 Attack on Pearl Harbor Expansion to Southeast AsiaExpansion to Southeast Asia 1942 Naval battles at Coral Point and Midway shift the 1942 Naval battles at Coral Point and Midway shift the

tidetide 1944-45 US advances in Philippines, Britain in Burma, 1944-45 US advances in Philippines, Britain in Burma,

firebombing raidsfirebombing raids Aug. 6, 1945 Atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Aug 9 Aug. 6, 1945 Atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Aug 9

on Nagasakion Nagasaki Announcement of surrender on Aug. 14, Japanese Announcement of surrender on Aug. 14, Japanese

Instrument of Surrender on Sep. 2Instrument of Surrender on Sep. 2

Pre-War and WWII LiteraturePre-War and WWII Literature

1920s proletarian literature, “I novel” (1920s proletarian literature, “I novel” ( 私小私小説わたくししょうせつ、ししょうせつ説わたくししょうせつ、ししょうせつ ))

1930s 1930s てんこう “てんこう “ conversion novels”conversion novels” Patriotic literature during wartimePatriotic literature during wartime

Post-War PeriodPost-War Period 1945-1952 US Occupation led by General MacArthur1945-1952 US Occupation led by General MacArthur

Constitution in 1947, drawn up by General WhitneyConstitution in 1947, drawn up by General Whitney Land reforms to help stabilize failing economyLand reforms to help stabilize failing economy ざいばつ ざいばつ disbandeddisbanded initial encouragement of Communist idealism, reverse course initial encouragement of Communist idealism, reverse course

(Cold War)(Cold War) Article 9 amendedArticle 9 amended

Manufacture of arms and war supplies for US troops during Manufacture of arms and war supplies for US troops during Korean WarKorean War

Establishment of JSDF in 1954 (for peacekeeping and disaster Establishment of JSDF in 1954 (for peacekeeping and disaster relief)relief)

Economic turn-around, growth through the 80sEconomic turn-around, growth through the 80s 1964 Olympics held in Tokyo1964 Olympics held in Tokyo Liberal Democratic Party dominant through 80sLiberal Democratic Party dominant through 80s

Language Reforms during Post-Language Reforms during Post-War PeriodWar Period

1946 1946 当用漢字 当用漢字 list established with 1850 kanji list established with 1850 kanji (simplified, decreased number of kanji and (simplified, decreased number of kanji and readings)readings)

1946 1946 現代かな図解現代かな図解 established, spelling based established, spelling based on pronunciation rather than Heian phonemeson pronunciation rather than Heian phonemes

various additions and amendments for names, various additions and amendments for names, public desire for kanji increase in 70s and 80spublic desire for kanji increase in 70s and 80s

1978 Invention of word processor, allowed 1978 Invention of word processor, allowed easier use of typed kanjieasier use of typed kanji

1981 1981 常用漢字 常用漢字 (1945 kanji)(1945 kanji)

Post-War LiteraturePost-War Literature New sense of self prevalent in literatureNew sense of self prevalent in literature 太宰 治（だざいおさむ）太宰 治（だざいおさむ） The Setting SunThe Setting Sun ( ( 斜陽斜陽 ) 1947dealt with ) 1947dealt with

soldiers returning from Manchuguo soldiers returning from Manchuguo -- 三島 由紀夫（みしまゆきお）三島 由紀夫（みしまゆきお） Confessions of a MaskConfessions of a Mask ( ( 仮面の告仮面の告

白白 ) conflicts of sexuality ) conflicts of sexuality -- 川端 康成（かわばたやすなり）川端 康成（かわばたやすなり） wrote throughout Showa periodwrote throughout Showa period

focus on psychological fictionfocus on psychological fiction Nobel Prize for Literature in 1968Nobel Prize for Literature in 1968

Others: Others: 大江 健三郎（おおえけんざぶろ）大江 健三郎（おおえけんざぶろ） , , 谷崎 潤一郎（たにざ谷崎 潤一郎（たにざきじゅんいちろう）きじゅんいちろう） , , 遠藤 周作（えんどうしゅさく）遠藤 周作（えんどうしゅさく）

安部公房（あべこうぼう）安部公房（あべこうぼう） avant-garde novelist – avant-garde novelist – Woman in the Woman in the DunesDunes ( ( 砂の女砂の女 ) 1962) 1962

70s and 80s: writing to raise social consciousness70s and 80s: writing to raise social consciousness

Heisei Period Heisei Period 平成平成 1989 Show Emperor dies1989 Show Emperor dies Liberal Democratic Party overthrown briefly, Liberal Democratic Party overthrown briefly,

returned to power in 1996returned to power in 1996 ““Bubble Economy” collapses by 1991, followed Bubble Economy” collapses by 1991, followed

by period of recessionby period of recession 1991 Gulf War raised questions of participation 1991 Gulf War raised questions of participation

in warin war 1995 Kobe Earthquake and Subway Sarin 1995 Kobe Earthquake and Subway Sarin

IncidentIncident 2003/2004 Japan sent troops to assist US with 2003/2004 Japan sent troops to assist US with

war on Iraq, largest number since WWIIwar on Iraq, largest number since WWII

Heisei LiteratureHeisei Literature

1994 Ōe Kenzaburō won Nobel Prize for 1994 Ōe Kenzaburō won Nobel Prize for LiteratureLiterature

村上春樹（むらかみはるき）村上春樹（むらかみはるき） --The Wind-Up Bird ChronicleThe Wind-Up Bird Chronicle ねじまき鳥クロねじまき鳥クロ

ニクルニクル UndergroundUnderground アンダーグラウンドアンダーグラウンド

Japanese WritingJapanese Writing

Meiji PeriodMeiji Period

Considered to be the beginning of modern Considered to be the beginning of modern literatureliterature

Large changes in Japanese political Large changes in Japanese political systemsystem

Increased literacy and education among Increased literacy and education among general populacegeneral populace

Heavy Western influencesHeavy Western influences Demise of Classical Japanese writing style Demise of Classical Japanese writing style

(( 古文古文 ))

Introduction of New PunctuationIntroduction of New Punctuation

Traditional punctuationTraditional punctuation 。、。、『』『』・・ 々々 ヽ ヾ ゝ ゞ ヽ ヾ ゝ ゞ

Borrowed punctuationBorrowed punctuation ? ! : ; ( )? ! : ; ( )

Tategaki (Tategaki ( 縦書き縦書き ) vs ) vs Yokogaki (Yokogaki ( 横書き横書き ))

TategakiTategaki Written vertically, right to leftWritten vertically, right to left Traditional structure of Japanese writingTraditional structure of Japanese writing Commonly used today in novels, newspapers and comicsCommonly used today in novels, newspapers and comics

YokogakiYokogaki Written horizontally, left to rightWritten horizontally, left to right Introduced via Western influence, when Japanese would print Introduced via Western influence, when Japanese would print

Western language dictionariesWestern language dictionaries Migi-Yokogaki – Writing horizontally right to left; short livedMigi-Yokogaki – Writing horizontally right to left; short lived Commonly used today in academic texts, scientific texts, texts Commonly used today in academic texts, scientific texts, texts

mixing words from other horizontally written languagesmixing words from other horizontally written languages Not uncommon for both forms to be used simultaneously Not uncommon for both forms to be used simultaneously

depending on the needdepending on the need

Shinjitai (Shinjitai ( 新字体新字体 ))

Simplifying and limitations put on kanji Simplifying and limitations put on kanji characters due to the post-WWII reformscharacters due to the post-WWII reforms

Types of simplifications:Types of simplifications: Adopting “cursive form” of a kanjiAdopting “cursive form” of a kanji

• Ex: Ex: 圖 → 図圖 → 図 , , 觀 → 観 觀 → 観 Standardizing a single kanji for a meaningStandardizing a single kanji for a meaning

• Ex: Ex: 島島 , , 嶋嶋 , , 嶌 → 島嶌 → 島 Removing complex portionsRemoving complex portions

• 藝 → 芸藝 → 芸 , , 蟲 → 虫 蟲 → 虫

Other Examples of ShinjitaiOther Examples of Shinjitai

與→与 與→与 ((YOYO, , ataeruataeru; bestow, impart); bestow, impart) 學→学 學→学 ((GAKUGAKU, , manabumanabu; learn); learn) 體→体 體→体 ((TAITAI, , karadakarada; body); body) 臺→台 臺→台 ((TAITAI; [n.] stand); [n.] stand) 國→国 國→国 ((KOKUKOKU, , kunikuni; country); country) 關→関 關→関 ((KANKAN, , sekiseki; involve, concerning); involve, concerning) 寫→写 寫→写 ((SHASHA, , utsusuutsusu; to write or compose); to write or compose) 廣→広 廣→広 ((KŌKŌ, , hiroihiroi; expansive, wide); expansive, wide) 圓→円 圓→円 ((ENEN; ; maruimarui; round, circular); round, circular)

Japanese Writing ReformsJapanese Writing Reforms

Late 19Late 19thth century saw the rise of colloquial Japanese century saw the rise of colloquial Japanese used in serious Japanese writingused in serious Japanese writing

Generally attributed to Futabata Shimei’s “Ukigumo” (Generally attributed to Futabata Shimei’s “Ukigumo” ( 浮浮雲雲 ))

Reform of 1900Reform of 1900 Standardization of hiragana, elimination of other varying Standardization of hiragana, elimination of other varying

hentaigana scriptshentaigana scripts Restriction of kanji taught in general education to 1,200Restriction of kanji taught in general education to 1,200 Conforming of irregular kana to match with the pronunciation (Conforming of irregular kana to match with the pronunciation ( 現現

代仮名遣代仮名遣 )) The reform is only partially successful, namely due to the The reform is only partially successful, namely due to the

criticism of conforming irregular kana, along with a rise in criticism of conforming irregular kana, along with a rise in Japanese nationalismJapanese nationalism

Japanese Writing Reforms Japanese Writing Reforms Cont.Cont.

Post-WWII ReformsPost-WWII Reforms Reform of kana usage with modern pronunciations (1946)Reform of kana usage with modern pronunciations (1946) Implimentation of tōyō kanji (Implimentation of tōyō kanji ( 当用漢字当用漢字 ), restricting kanji used in ), restricting kanji used in

academic materials to a standard of 1,850 kanji (including academic materials to a standard of 1,850 kanji (including simplified kanji) (1946)simplified kanji) (1946)

Approval of additional jinmeiyō kanji (Approval of additional jinmeiyō kanji ( 人名用漢字人名用漢字 ) to be used ) to be used along with tōyō kanji for proper names (1951)along with tōyō kanji for proper names (1951)

In 1981, the tōyō kanji are replaced with the 1,945 jōyō In 1981, the tōyō kanji are replaced with the 1,945 jōyō kanji (kanji ( 常用漢字常用漢字 ); no longer a restriction but a ); no longer a restriction but a recommendationrecommendation

In 2004, the number of jinmeiyō kanji is increasedIn 2004, the number of jinmeiyō kanji is increased

Literature SelectionsLiterature Selections

Selection 1Selection 1

Fukuzawa Yukichi (Fukuzawa Yukichi ( 福澤 諭吉福澤 諭吉 )) ““Gakumon no Susume” (Gakumon no Susume” ( 学問のすゝめ学問のすゝめ ) – ) –

“A Recommendation of Learning”“A Recommendation of Learning” 17 volumes from 1872-187617 volumes from 1872-1876 Written entirely in classical style Japanese Written entirely in classical style Japanese

Selection 2Selection 2

Futabatei Shimei (Futabatei Shimei ( 二葉亭 四迷二葉亭 四迷 )) ““Ukigumo” (Ukigumo” ( 浮雲浮雲 ) – “Floating Clouds”) – “Floating Clouds” Written in 1887Written in 1887 Never completedNever completed One of the first published works written in One of the first published works written in

colloquial style Japanese, Western colloquial style Japanese, Western puncutationpuncutation

Selection 3Selection 3

Akutagawa Ryūnosuke (Akutagawa Ryūnosuke ( 芥川 龍之介芥川 龍之介 )) ““Yabu no Naka” (Yabu no Naka” ( 藪の中藪の中 ) – “In a Grove”) – “In a Grove” Published in 1922Published in 1922 Monologue style proseMonologue style prose Again, more colloquial style Japanese with Again, more colloquial style Japanese with

Western influenceWestern influence

Selection 4Selection 4

““Nihonkoku Kempō” (Nihonkoku Kempō” ( 日本国憲法日本国憲法 ) – The ) – The Constitution of JapanConstitution of Japan

Adopted in 1946, replacing the Meiji Adopted in 1946, replacing the Meiji Constitution of 1889Constitution of 1889

Verbose, “stuffy” writing style, still uses Verbose, “stuffy” writing style, still uses some rekishiteki kanazukaisome rekishiteki kanazukai

Selection 5Selection 5

Segawa Biki (Segawa Biki ( 勢川びき勢川びき )) ““Saigo no Ichinichi” (Saigo no Ichinichi” ( 最後の一日最後の一日 ) – “The ) – “The

Last Day”Last Day” Written in April 1995, short story contest Written in April 1995, short story contest

winnerwinner Modern JapaneseModern Japanese

End of This LessonEnd of This Lesson