What is “国字”?
Table of Contents
1. What is “国字“？
2. The meaning of “国字“
3. The Origin of Kanji
4. Why Was Kokuji Necessary?
5. Summary
6. Similar Articles
7. Comment
Q: While studying Japanese, I learned that there are kanji that do not exist in Chinese. I heard these are called “国字,” but I would like to know what kinds of 国字 there are.
A: Simply put, 国字 refers to “kanji made in Japan.” Here, I will explain 国字 in a bit more detail.
The meaning of “国字“
① Characters used to write the national language. In modern Japanese, this includes kanji, hiragana, katakana, Roman letters, and Arabic numerals.
② Kana used to indicate the reading of kanji. However, this usage is rarely seen in modern times.
③ Characters newly created in Japan, based on Chinese kanji.
In modern usage, kokuji primarily refers to the third definition.
The Origin of Kanji
The origin of kanji is said to date back to 1300 BC in China.
In fact, the Japanese language originally did not have a writing system. However, around the 6th century, as Japan began adopting Chinese philosophies and religions, it became necessary to read Chinese texts written in kanbun (Chinese texts written entirely in kanji). This led to the need for people to acquire the ability to understand kanbun.
Gradually, kanji spread among the nobility, and by the latter half of the 7th century to the 8th century, kanji became widely used. This led to the creation of Japan’s oldest collection of poems, Man’yōshū, which was written entirely in kanji.
In Japanese, kanji has two types of readings: on’yomi and kun’yomi. On’yomi refers to the original Chinese pronunciation, while kun’yomi refers to Japanese-specific readings. Originally, only on’yomi was used in Japan, but because Chinese pronunciations varied depending on the era and region, the readings were inconsistent.
To address this, the Japanese created kun’yomi to standardize the way kanji were read. This practice began around the 10th century and is said to have become widely established by the 14th century.
Why Was Kokuji Necessary?
In Japan, there are kanji that were not brought over from China but were created independently.
The reason for this is that there was a need to express uniquely Japanese words and concepts. These kokuji are often used for the names of animals, plants, and other elements of nature that did not exist in China.
Below are a few examples:
①Names of Fish
| Kokuji | Origin |
|---|---|
| 鱈（魚 + 雪）/ Cod (fish+snow) | A fish caught in regions where it often snows. |
| 鰆（魚 + 春）/ Spanish mackerel (fish+spring) | A fish that is in season during spring. |
②Names of Plants
| Kokuji | Origin |
|---|---|
| 榊（木 + 神）/ Sakaki tree (tree+god) | A tree used as an offering in Shinto rituals. |
| 椛（木 + 花）/ Maple (tree+flower) | Leaves that change color like flowers. |
③Natural Features
| Kokuji | Origin |
|---|---|
| 峠（山 + 上 + 下）/ Mountain pass (mountain+up+down) | A point where a mountain path shifts from ascent to descent. |
| 凪（几 + 止）/ Calm (wind+stop) | The wind stops blowing (“几” represents the radical for wind). |
While Japan and China share some kanji, the meanings or words can differ. Here are a few examples:
| Japanese | Chinese Meaning |
|---|---|
| 丈夫 / Sturdy, strong, durable | 夫 / Husband |
| 読書 / Reading (books) | 勉強 / Studying |
Summary
- “Kokuji” refers to kanji characters that were newly created in Japan, based on Chinese kanji.
- They were developed to express uniquely Japanese words and concepts.
- It is important to note that some kanji, while identical in form to Chinese characters, can have completely different meanings.
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