著者

加藤 美紀 Miki Kato

雑誌

共立国際研究 : 共立女子大学国際学部紀要 = The Kyoritsu journal of international studies

巻号頁・発行日

vol.31, pp.149-163, 2014-03

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This paper proposes a reform of Japanese language education, especially for the field called Kambun. The term Kambun literally means Chinese writing, but it traditionally has a particular meaning in Japan. Classical Chinese literature was the most important culture artifact for Japanese until the 19th century and was read with a unique translation method called Kundoku. In Japan, Kambun usually means original classical Chinese literature, writings which were written in ancient Chinese by Japanese, and texts translated by the Kundoku method. The problem is that we have not found the best way of teaching Kambun for today's students. Instead of Chinese culture, Western culture came to occupy the most important position after the Meiji Restoration in Japan. We have to establish a new way of Kambun education fitting the new era. This paper examines today's Kambun education and makes two proposals for reforms as below; 1. Not to use the original text written in ancient Chinese as teaching material. 2. To exploit Kambun education to teach Japanese language characters and their history. These proposals would surely improve not only Kambun teaching, but also Japanese language education.