The Pioneering Edo Analysis of Japanese Verb Conjugations

Abstract

Fujitani Nariakira was an eminent scholar of the Edo period, recognized as the first to systematically analyze the Japanese language, including the conjugation system. He categorized word types and conducted groundbreaking analysis of the meaning and functions of particles (助詞, joshi) and auxiliary verbs (助動詞, jodooshi). This paper introduces his primary contributions and focuses on his analysis of verb conjugations. Nariakira’s classification system and terminology are described in relation to how the premodern conjugation system is understood and discussed today. His work is significant as the first examination of this essential part of language use and has influenced subsequent linguistic analyses. Nariakira incorporated a scientific, empirical approach to his analysis based on contextualized language use. His seminal influential work spans language, linguistics, and literature.