Etymology of Chinese characters

ryuurui · (#1 (**permalink**))

I have decided to undertake a mammoth task of explaining the etymology of Chinese characters of the 常用漢字 (じょうようかんじ, i.e. 2136 kanji in common, everyday, use). Below is a link to my first post. Would love to hear opinons, sugestons, rants and thoughts.

I will go with the Japanese grade kanji order, so I do not lose the track, and if I went according to one of my dictionaries, I may not be finished till my late 90's.

I will be also explaining the differences between　活字 (かつじ, i.e. printed/computer font) and hand-written form. This should not only benefit those who want to learn how to write properly with a pen or pencil, but perhaps it will also save some unwanted tattoo enthusiasts from a nasty shock.

First one is kanji 一 (いち, i.e. one).

Kanji: 一 | Beyond Calligraphy

Cheers.

p.s. the text was not loked at by our editor yet (he is alseep lol), so I hope you will not mind my Polinglish.

blutorange · (#2 (**permalink**))

That's quite a monumental task you set for yourself indeed. There is already a website, kanjinetworks.com , which explains the etymology of more than just the jouyou kanji as used in Japan, but comparing this with your approach, the explanations there are much more concise, you are writing small articles on each kanji together with examples &c, which is what makes your project something that hasn't been done already. I wish you good and hope that you won't lose interest, because I know I sure would.

ryuurui · (#3 (**permalink**))

Thanks Blutorange. I really appreciate your comment. I will check the kanjinetworks.com and see what information they are using. There are many publications / sites that utilise incorrect etymology or sugest misleading mnemonics, which instead of being helpful with studying / understanding Chinese characters, are in fact damaging.

My articles are based on several calligraphy dicionaries, including two 篆書大字典 (one of them received the Imperial Cultural Reward), and 書道大辞典 published either by 角川, 二玄社 or similar houses specialising in calligraphy books, as well as my personal knowledge gathered during 10 years of studies of calligraphy under one of the most renowend masters in Kantou area. The most valuable source of information in my posssession, however, are fantastic and insanely detailed woks of 白川　静 who is possibly the most famous Japanese authority in the field of the etymology of Chinese characters. He spent his entire life on doing nothing but that, and lived 96 years.

I hope that the time required for the research of each character will not prevent me from posting at least 2 or 3 articles a week. Taking into consideration that this is one of many activities that I am currently involved in, it seems that I will be rather busy for next few years.

I doubt I will lose interest. Calligraphy is my passion job and obsesson, and so are the kanji. If die, I plan on reincarnating as a calligraphy dictionary