Abstract

Rediscovering the Richness of the Japanese Language: Words that Cherish the Spirit of Hospitality and the Changing of Seasons
Japanese customs, traditions, thoughtfulness, and manners are naturally rooted in the daily lives of Japanese people. This book compiles these "fundamental Japanese expressions" that underlie everyday life and sensibilities into a single volume.
Through Professor Takashi Saito's commentary and gentle illustrations, we revisit various aspects of Japanese language and culture: greetings, annual events, proverbs, the 72 micro-seasons (shichijūni kō) and 24 seasonal divisions (nijūshi sekki) that help us feel the changing seasons, and the many words that form the foundation of our way of life.
The Japanese language contains thoughtful greetings, nuanced expressions that notice small details, and words of wisdom inherited from our ancestors that serve as emotional support. This is a book you'll want to keep close at hand to savor the richness of the Japanese language while enjoying daily life.

Author’s Information

Born in Shizuoka in 1960. Professor at Meiji University's School of Literature. Graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo. After completing his doctoral studies at the Graduate School of Education at the same university, he is currently in his current position. Received the Shincho Academic Prize for "Recovering Physical Senses" (NHK Publishing). "Japanese that you want to read out loud" (Mainichi Publishing Culture Award Special Prize, 2002 New Words and Popular Words Award Top 10, Soshisha) became a best-seller series with 2.6 million copies sold, sparking a Japanese language boom.