On the Acceptance of "Kangos"(Japanese Words of Chinese Origin) in Ancient Japanese Literature

The aim of this project was to explore from the standpoint of comparative literature how "kangos" (Japanese words of Chinese Origin) were introduced in Ancient Japanese Literature, especially in wakas and Japanese-style Chinese poems. In 1999 I put down on cards Li Shan's explanations of words in his commentaries on Wen-xuan. At the same time, I conducted an analysis of the text of Manyoshu concerning how Chinese characters are used in the text. In 2000-2001 my work centered mainly on putting down on cards Li Shan's explanations of words in his commentaries on Wen-xuan. In 2002 I classified the cards and wrote the manuscript. The report includes "Index to Li Shan's Explanations of Words in His Commentaries on Wen-xuan (to be continued)". In addition, I conducted the following research in 2002 : 1. semantic analysis of the kun-reading (the Japanese reading) of 白 in the ancient Japanese language. 2. elucidation of how Sakimori poems in Manyoshu Book 20 were compiled. 3. Analysis of Otomo no Ikenushi's style of Chinese poems and wakas. I have not yet fully achieved my original goal and, after completing the index, I will consider the problem of how Chinese characters were used in ancient Japanese literature.

The aim of this project was to explore from the standpoint of comparative literature how "kangos" (Japanese words of Chinese Origin) were introduced in Ancient Japanese Literature, especially in wakas and Japanese-style Chinese poems. In 1999 I put down on cards Li Shan's explanations of words in his commentaries on Wen-xuan. At the same time, I conducted an analysis of the text of Manyoshu concerning how Chinese characters are used in the text. In 2000-2001 my work centered mainly on putting down on cards Li Shan's explanations of words in his commentaries on Wen-xuan. In 2002 I classified the cards and wrote the manuscript. The report includes "Index to Li Shan's Explanations of Words in His Commentaries on Wen-xuan (to be continued)". In addition, I conducted the following research in 2002 : 1. semantic analysis of the kun-reading (the Japanese reading) of 白 in the ancient Japanese language. 2. elucidation of how Sakimori poems in Manyoshu Book 20 were compiled. 3. Analysis of Otomo no Ikenushi's style of Chinese poems and wakas. I have not yet fully achieved my original goal and, after completing the index, I will consider the problem of how Chinese characters were used in ancient Japanese literature.