康煕字典体(Koukijiten-tai)

It seems a Japan's committee is considering to re-introduce old style Kanjis again. The purpose is cultural accession. I think it is really nice idea. Always I regret that nowadays Kanji can't make me to feel beauty and its wisdom.



For example, 鴎 and 涛 are kanjis designated for everyday use. 森鷗外(Mori Ogai), 胡 錦濤(Hú Jǐntāo) are 康煕字典体(Koukijiten-tai) which is traditional Kanaji. Absolutely, traditional ones are more beautiful and they are connected to classic literature's world. Absolutely, words should be beautiful and wise.



Nowadays Kanji has a problem that we can't read classic literatures without knowledge of traditional Kanjis. Old generation seems read them but our generation can't well. A problem I faced at university was that I had to consult a dictionary so many times.



Now "弁" has many meanings speech, a dialect, a valve, a petal, take on board. This 弁 is a simplified Kanji of 辧、辯、辨、瓣. Traditional ones are hieroglyphic characters and easy to understand the meaning, although it is a bit more difficult to write.



Learning them is "cultural accession". However there is a problem that students don't know the Kanji's meaning to read classic literatures enough. For example, 度 means a time, a degree, an extent, a limit, moderation and whenever. But it is not enough. I think most students don't know what "度す" (Dosu) mean. This 度 has meaning that conveying something to somewhere, and "度す" means "to convince", "persuade", "to help mankind"(In buddhism). They can't read classic literatures without such kind of knowledge. Therefore, we can't have great expectations. However, learning traditional Kanji would be a door to the classic literatures. As for nowadays Kanjis, it would be used as Kanjis for hand writing. And it seems it don't introduce all traditional Kanjis at once.



Well, in addition, to know meaning of Kanji is really interesting. For example, 複(Fuku) means compound, double. 復(Fuku) means return, restore, repeat. I admire what Chinese people thought. If you interesting in Chinese philosophy, please check the difference between 有 and 在, 理 and 事.



When I read Chinese classic literatures etc, Although I often am astonished about what Chinese governors did as punishment. I always think Chinese civilization is great. Especially Kanjis are really excellent. I have learned classic Chinese, classic Japanese, Sanskrit, Chinese and, yes, English. I think Kanjis are most excellent. As to logicality, Sanskrit is best. I may study Chinese again after that I mastered English. Yes, in fact, I studied Chinese at university. Of course it is Pekingese.



I think westerners have to have a hard time to learn Kanji. But I want them go to it Japan has most classic literature books in the world (the number of books) . Kanji may become the keyword to open the mysterious world of East Asia. Of course it is normal for me though. :-) Although I've forgotten most of Sanskrit, it is sure no one can understand Indian thought well without Sanskrit learning. Words teach us how the people cut off the chaos with language.



Unfortunately, I've forgotten many Kanji due to PC. We need to write to retain memory. Sometimes I need to practice it. :-) I memorized them up until a few years ago though. ....sigh.



Well I have to write more two blog in this month. To write 10 blogs in a month is my norm. Hmm. I may write about the topics of the day.



I took the photo. It is Hina-Ningyou, Ohina-sama.



Have a great great weekend!