Ruiju Myogisho
Encyclopedia
The , alternatively misread as Ruijū myōgishō, is a Japanese dictionary from the late Heian Period
. The title, sometimes abbreviated as Myōgishō, combines the ruiju ("classified dictionary") from the Wamyō Ruijushō
and the myōgi ("pronunciation and meaning/definition") from the Tenrei Banshō Myōgi. Additional Buddhist titles, like Sanbō ruiju myōgishō (三宝類聚名義抄), use the word sanbō (三宝 "Three Jewels
") because the text was divided into butsu (仏 "Buddha"), hō (法 "Dharma"), and sō (僧 "Sangha") sections.
The origins of the Ruiju myōgishō are uncertain. Bailey (1960:6) concludes it was "compiled early in the twelfth century, presumably by a priest." Okimori (1996:269) believes the received edition dates from the late 12th century, but the original version was compiled around 1081-1100 CE. There are various received texts of the Ruiju myōgishō and several indexes.
Like other early Japanese dictionaries, the Ruiju myōgishō borrowed heavily from Chinese dictionaries, in particular the (ca. 543 CE) Yupian
and the (601 CE) Qieyun
. For collation
of character entries, the Chinese Yupian has a system of 542 logographic radicals
. The Ruiju myōgishō cuts them down into 120 radicals (bu 部), even simpler than the (ca. 900 CE) Japanese Shinsen Jikyō
system of 160.
The Ruiju myōgishō lists over 32,000 characters and compounds. The entries give both on'yomi Sino-Japanese borrowings and kun'yomi native Japanese readings for kanji
, using Chinese fanqie
spellings (from the Qieyun), Man'yōgana, and katakana
. Meanings are often illustrated by quotations from over 130 Chinese classic texts
and classical Japanese literature
. These quotes have two types of Kanbun
("Chinese writing") annotations, shōten (声点 "tone marks") for Chinese tones and Japanese accents, and occasional kunten (訓点 "reading marks") for Japanese pronunciations. "Many passages contain no Japanese readings at all," says Bailey (1960:6), "but there are a total of approximately 10,000 Japanese readings given in the whole work." The Ruiju myōgishō remains a standard Japanese source of information regarding Heian era pronunciation.
In addition to the above, the and revised editions exist, but both are incomplete.
Heian period
The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height...
. The title, sometimes abbreviated as Myōgishō, combines the ruiju ("classified dictionary") from the Wamyō Ruijushō
Wamyo Ruijusho
The is a 938 CE Japanese dictionary of Chinese characters. The Heian Period scholar Minamoto no Shitagō began compilation in 934, at the request of Emperor Daigo's daughter...
and the myōgi ("pronunciation and meaning/definition") from the Tenrei Banshō Myōgi. Additional Buddhist titles, like Sanbō ruiju myōgishō (三宝類聚名義抄), use the word sanbō (三宝 "Three Jewels
Three Jewels
The Three Jewels, also called the Three Treasures, the Siemese Triples, Three Refuges, or the Triple Gem , are the three things that Buddhists take refuge in, and look toward for guidance, in the process known as taking refuge.The Three Jewels are:* BuddhaTaking refuge in the Three Jewels is...
") because the text was divided into butsu (仏 "Buddha"), hō (法 "Dharma"), and sō (僧 "Sangha") sections.
The origins of the Ruiju myōgishō are uncertain. Bailey (1960:6) concludes it was "compiled early in the twelfth century, presumably by a priest." Okimori (1996:269) believes the received edition dates from the late 12th century, but the original version was compiled around 1081-1100 CE. There are various received texts of the Ruiju myōgishō and several indexes.
Like other early Japanese dictionaries, the Ruiju myōgishō borrowed heavily from Chinese dictionaries, in particular the (ca. 543 CE) Yupian
Yupian
The Yupian is a circa 543 CE Chinese dictionary edited by Gu Yewang during the Liang Dynasty. It arranges 12,158 character entries under 542 radicals, which differ somewhat from the original 540 in the Shuowen Jiezi...
and the (601 CE) Qieyun
Qieyun
The Qieyun is a Chinese rime dictionary, published in 601 CE during the Sui Dynasty. The title Qieyun literally means "cutting rimes" referring to the traditional Chinese fănqiè system of spelling, and is thus translatable as "Spelling Rimes."Lù Făyán was the chief editor...
. For collation
Collation
Collation is the assembly of written information into a standard order. One common type of collation is called alphabetization, though collation is not limited to ordering letters of the alphabet...
of character entries, the Chinese Yupian has a system of 542 logographic radicals
Radical (Chinese character)
A Chinese radical is a component of a Chinese character. The term may variously refer to the original semantic element of a character, or to any semantic element, or, loosely, to any element whatever its origin or purpose...
. The Ruiju myōgishō cuts them down into 120 radicals (bu 部), even simpler than the (ca. 900 CE) Japanese Shinsen Jikyō
Shinsen Jikyo
The is the first Japanese dictionary containing native kun'yomi "Japanese readings" of Chinese characters. The title is also written 新選字鏡 with the graphic variant sen for sen ....
system of 160.
The Ruiju myōgishō lists over 32,000 characters and compounds. The entries give both on'yomi Sino-Japanese borrowings and kun'yomi native Japanese readings for kanji
Kanji
Kanji are the adopted logographic Chinese characters hanzi that are used in the modern Japanese writing system along with hiragana , katakana , Indo Arabic numerals, and the occasional use of the Latin alphabet...
, using Chinese fanqie
Fanqiè
In Chinese phonology, fanqie is a method to indicate the pronunciation of a character by using two other characters.-The Origin:...
spellings (from the Qieyun), Man'yōgana, and katakana
Katakana
is a Japanese syllabary, one component of the Japanese writing system along with hiragana, kanji, and in some cases the Latin alphabet . The word katakana means "fragmentary kana", as the katakana scripts are derived from components of more complex kanji. Each kana represents one mora...
. Meanings are often illustrated by quotations from over 130 Chinese classic texts
Chinese classic texts
Chinese classic texts, or Chinese canonical texts, today often refer to the pre-Qin Chinese texts, especially the Neo-Confucian titles of Four Books and Five Classics , a selection of short books and chapters from the voluminous collection called the Thirteen Classics. All of these pre-Qin texts...
and classical Japanese literature
Japanese literature
Early works of Japanese literature were heavily influenced by cultural contact with China and Chinese literature, often written in Classical Chinese. Indian literature also had an influence through the diffusion of Buddhism in Japan...
. These quotes have two types of Kanbun
Kanbun
The Japanese word originally meant "Classical Chinese writings, Chinese classic texts, Classical Chinese literature". This evolved into a Japanese method of reading annotated Classical Chinese in translation . Much Japanese literature was written in literary Chinese using this annotated style...
("Chinese writing") annotations, shōten (声点 "tone marks") for Chinese tones and Japanese accents, and occasional kunten (訓点 "reading marks") for Japanese pronunciations. "Many passages contain no Japanese readings at all," says Bailey (1960:6), "but there are a total of approximately 10,000 Japanese readings given in the whole work." The Ruiju myōgishō remains a standard Japanese source of information regarding Heian era pronunciation.
Editions
There are various extant editions that still exist today. The main editions include:- The edition. It is part of the collection in the Imperial Household AgencyImperial Household AgencyThe is a government agency of Japan in charge of the state matters concerning Japan's imperial family and also keeping the Privy Seal and the State Seal...
. Compiled between 1081 and 1100. It retains signs the original; however, it is incomplete and only contains the first half of the section. It providers detailed literary citations for entries. - The edition. It is part of the and is a national treasure of JapanNational treasures of JapanNational Treasures are the most precious of Japan's Tangible Cultural Properties, as determined and designated by the Agency for Cultural Affairs...
. It is a mid-Kamakura periodKamakura periodThe is a period of Japanese history that marks the governance by the Kamakura Shogunate, officially established in 1192 in Kamakura by the first shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo....
facsimileFacsimileA facsimile is a copy or reproduction of an old book, manuscript, map, art print, or other item of historical value that is as true to the original source as possible. It differs from other forms of reproduction by attempting to replicate the source as accurately as possible in terms of scale,...
. While it is an expanded and revised edition of the original, it is the only complete edition surviving today. - The Kōzan-jiKozan-ji, or , is an Omuro Buddhist temple located in Ume-ga-hata Toganoo-chō, Ukyō Ward, Kyoto, Japan. The temple was founded by famous monk Myōe and is renowned for its numerous national treasures and important cultural properties, in particular the famous picture scroll called Chōjū-giga. The temple...
edition. Part of the collection. It is entitled , and is a revised edition. It only contains the section and part of the 巻上 section found in the Kanji-in edition. - The edition. It is part of the Tō-jiTo-jiis a Buddhist temple of the Shingon sect in Kyoto, Japan. Its name means East Temple, and it once had a partner, Sai-ji . They stood alongside the Rashomon, the gate to the Heian capital. It is formally known as which indicates that it previously functioned as a temple providing protection for the...
Hōbodai-in collection. Revised and incomplete.
In addition to the above, the and revised editions exist, but both are incomplete.
External links
- 類聚名義抄, late Kamakura PeriodKamakura periodThe is a period of Japanese history that marks the governance by the Kamakura Shogunate, officially established in 1192 in Kamakura by the first shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo....
edition of Ruiju myōgishō, Tenri Central Library