Lost Sounds of Japan: Exploring Old Japanese

Lost Sounds of Japan: Exploring Old Japanese

I love languages, old japanese, jodai nihongo, history of japanese language, japanese language evolution, ancient japanese, man’yogana, kojiki, nihon shoki, man’yoshu, asuka period, nara period, japanese literature, japanese linguistics, japanese culture, japanese history documentary, japanese language history, early japanese, yamato language, shinto and buddhism japan, old japanese grammar, japanese etymology, lost languages, history of japan, learn japanese history, roots of japanese, classical japanese origins

Welcome to my channel! This is Andy from I love languages. Let's learn different languages/dialects together.

CHAPTERS:
Introduction: 0:00 - 2:25
Numbers: 2:26 - 2:41
Words & Phrases: 2:42 - 4:41
Sample Text: 4:42 - 6:29

Special Thanks to Omizan Sakamoto :)
   / @omizansakamotoofficial  

Ya! A no na wa Andi. Tutumi naki ya?
Hello! My name is Andy. How are you?
Let's talk abou the Old Japanese language.

Old Japanese Language:
Old Japanese is the earliest attested stage of the Japanese language, spoken and written roughly between the 7th and 8th centuries CE during the Asuka and Nara periods. It is best preserved in texts such as the Kojiki (712 CE), Nihon Shoki (720 CE), and the Man'yōshū poetry anthology (c. 759 CE), which were written using a writing system called Man'yōgana, where Chinese characters were used phonetically to represent Japanese syllables. Old Japanese had a more complex vowel system than modern Japanese, with at least eight distinct vowels, and a relatively simple consonant inventory. It marked the beginning of written Japanese literature and shows evidence of earlier forms of grammar, verb conjugations, and particles that evolved over time. Old Japanese provides insight into the linguistic influence of Chinese through early cultural and political contact, particularly due to the adoption of Chinese script and Buddhism.

Old Japanese People/Culture:
The people of Old Japan lived during the Asuka (538–710 CE) and Nara (710–794 CE) periods, a time of significant cultural, religious, and political transformation. This era saw the consolidation of imperial power, the formal establishment of a centralized state influenced by Chinese models (including the Taika Reforms), and the codification of law under the Ritsuryō system. Buddhism was officially introduced from the Korean kingdom of Baekje and quickly became a dominant cultural and religious force alongside native Shinto beliefs. The court aristocracy played a key role in shaping the arts, architecture, and literature, while regional clans maintained control over local areas. The construction of large-scale Buddhist temples like Hōryū-ji and the compilation of historical chronicles and poetry reflect a society deeply engaged in both governance and cultural sophistication. This period laid the foundation for classical Japanese civilization.

This video is created for educational, language awareness, and language preservation purposes. It aims to provide valuable insights and knowledge to viewers, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of different languages and their unique characteristics. By raising awareness about linguistic diversity, the video seeks to foster a greater respect and recognition for various languages, particularly those that are endangered or underrepresented. Additionally, it contributes to the preservation of languages by documenting and sharing linguistic knowledge, thus ensuring that these languages and their cultural heritage are not lost to future generations.

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