JAPANESE PHILOLOGY

Knowledge and Understanding: By the end of the course, every student is expected to be much more confident about reading and translating sentences in classical language and in Sino-Japanese style (kanbun). A part of the course will be devoted to study, to analyse, and to translate different texts, which, in their turn, would enable the student to gain competences in deciphering the ancient language. The course will also provide an introduction to the Early modern Japanese Palaeography.

Applying Knowledge and Understanding: The course in Japanese Philology is designed to give students a systematic and intensive introduction to the grammar of classical Japanese and Sino-Japanese prose, so that each one of them will be able to read and to enjoy ancient texts using the dictionaries. Moreover, they will gain competences in linguistic and glottology. They will also be able to recognize the basic structures and to compare them with their modern counterparts. The study of printed texts and palaeography will enable them to enjoy in depth the reading of classical texts. The course in Japanese Philology will be the chance to get familiar with Chinese Characters, Classical Japanese and Japanese-Japanese Dictionaries.

Making Judgment: Studying the classical language will enable the student to think about the language evolution. Furthermore, by reading and analysing texts and excerpts coming from different sources and dating from different periods, students will also have the chance to think about a very long literary tradition. Studying the prose in Sino-Japanese would be the chance to enjoy the literary production of the literati, while early modern palaeography will enable the student to think about the evolution of the system of syllabic writing (kana). Exercises and assignments will be the sine qua non for developing the capacity of making judgement on philological, linguistic and literary issues.

Communication Skills: Studying the classical language often constitutes an unrepeatable chance to improve knowledge and competences in contemporary language speaking skills. Students involved in a Japanese Philology course acknowledge a general improvement in their command of modern Japanese language. Reading, transcribing and coding printed texts will challenge student’s knowledge and competences of Japanese language.

Learning Skills: The course will enable students to cope with Japanese old texts and to accomplish specific research in the domain of classical literature. Students will have the chance to improve their command of the language and to learn how to use online database and online repositories and archives.

Frontal teaching, practice activities and written exams

The course aims at studying in depth the classical Japanese grammar, the Sino-Japanese style (kanbun), and to guide students to the comprehension of excerpts from famous literary productions of the medieval era. The course is divided into three didactic sections, intended to explain the main grammatical structures of classical Japanese and the main structure of the Sino-Japanese style. At the end of each unit, the students are required to pass a written exam whose votes will result in the final evaluation. An oral examination is provided only for those who could not attend classes, and for those who consider unsatisfactory their results. The course will also provide an introduction to Japanese Palaeography.

Ichiko Teiji, Otogizōshi. Iwanami bunko, 1987.

Jippensha Ikku, Tōkaidōchū hizakurige, vol. I, Edo: Eiyūdō (Murataya Jirōbee, 1802).

Kasama eiin sōkan kankōkai, Jiten kana: shutten meiki. Kasama shoin, 2009.

Komai Akira, Rohlich Thomas, An Introduction to Classical Japanese. (Chapters 4.1 – 4.11)

Komai Akira, Rohlich Thomas, An Introduction to Japanese Kanbun. (Chapters 1-6)

Nomura Hachirō, Ujishūi monogatari. Nihon koten zensho, 1955.

Rai Seichi, Nihongaishi. Iwanami Shoten, 1969.

Dictionary:

Maeda Kingorō, Satake Masahiro, Ōno Susumu, Kogo jiten, Iwanami shoten, 1990.

Please remember that in compliance with art 171 L22.04.1941, n. 633 and its amendments, it is illegal to copy entire books or journals, only 15% of their content can be copied.

For further information on sanctions and regulations concerning photocopying please refer to the regulations on copyright (Linee Guida sulla Gestione dei Diritti d’Autore) provided by AIDRO - Associazione Italiana per i Diritti di Riproduzione delle opere dell’ingegno (the Italian Association on Copyright).

All the books listed in the programs can be consulted in the Library.