The Japanese Language

Nihongo no Hihanteki Ksatsu (A Critical Study of Japanese

great number of Chinese character words coined as translations for European words in the Meiji period. For instance, some poets referred to tetsud(railroad) as kurogane no michi (a road of black iron) and denshin (telegram) as harigane dayori (com‍

When such words as i (stomach), ch(intestines), and kakuran (cholera) were first introduced, the Japanese translated them as: monohami (food container) for stomach; kuso bukuro (a bag for excrement) for intestines; and kuchi yori shiri yori koku yamai (a disease that breaks through mouth and bottom) for cholera.

example, before the introduction of Chinese character words, the Japanese expression for eleven was towo amari fitotu (one more than ten)

It is the romanization developed by James Hepburn, who came to Japan in the early Meiji period, and has been used in this book because it is the system most generally used in Japan and abroad.

seion and dakuon

According to traditional examples, however, no such Japanese phrase exists—uyamau (to respect) and aisuru (to love) cannot be practiced at the same time.

and bet-hfu (one’s better half, one’s wife),

Judd, sweet-smelling and beautiful, of our home at Diamond Head, which makes heaven overlook with wide-open eyes

song called Banzai HittorYgento