The Formation and Development of Kana, Integrated Study of Japanese Writing Systems

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K02723
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Japanese linguistics
• Research Institution: University of Yamanashi
• Principal Investigator: Hasegawa Chiaki 山梨大学, 大学院総合研究部, 教授 (40362074)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: かなの成立 / 上代の仮名 / 訓点資料 / 木簡 / 秋萩帖 / 神歌抄

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Make clear the requirements for the establishment of characters as "kana" in the Heian period and examine the functional differences between "kana" and kanji. Regarding the issue of continuity and discontinuity between "kana" of the Nara period and "kana" of the Heian period, based on the kana materials from the late 9th century to the 10th century, it was proposed to consider continuity and discontinuity in a multifaceted manner, taking into account elements such as character style, shape, function, and usage. As materials from the developmental period of kana, the characteristics of kana in the "Akihagijo" and "Shinkasyo" preserved at the Tokyo National Museum were clarified.

Free Research Field

日本語学、日本語史、表記研究

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

上代の「仮名」が中古の「かな」に置き換わる理由は未だ解明されていないが、中古の「かな」が文字として成立する要件として、Ⅰかたちとしての成立、Ⅱ機能としての成立、Ⅲ社会の中での成立、Ⅳ仮名で書くことへの必然性の4点を明らかにし、さらに「かな」の成立と展開において9世紀後半～１０世紀の仮名資料を用いたこと、「秋萩帖」の字母選択が「高野切」「綾地切」等と共通することを明らかにしたことに学術的意義がある。