User talk:Bendono/Archives/2008/June-October

Referencing articles from essay collections
Hi, Bendono. I saw how you formatted your references in the Kamakura, Kanagawa article, and I believe you know more than me about referencing, so I would like to ask you a question, if I may. How do you reference an essay part of a collection compiled by an editor? Which do you think is the best template to do it? Thanks in advance. urashimataro (talk) 07:43, 9 July 2008 (UTC)


 * Sorry for the late response. I've been extremely busy lately. As for your question, I would just fill out the Cite book template, indicate the editor and the relevant page numbers of the essay. Regards, Bendono (talk) 07:10, 23 August 2008 (UTC)

Welcome back, and thanks for the answer. urashimataro (talk) 12:30, 27 August 2008 (UTC)

Chinese cash
You have previously participated in discussions of the title of the article Chinese wén. If you care, please discuss a resolution of this issue by suggesting your preferred title at Talk:Chinese wén. —  AjaxSmack   02:05, 31 July 2008 (UTC)

Koten Bungaku
Hi, Bendono. Since you are capable of reading the Taiheiki directly, I would like to ask you one thing. Working on Wikipedia I find every day more reasons to wish I were able to read the Taiheiki, the Gukanshō and the Azuma Kagami, but the reality is I can't. There are translations in modern Japanese of the Taiheiki, but not of the Azuma Kagami, although one is coming out in stages right now. Do you know if there is some way to learn on my own, and are there dictionaries to help me read? I am aware it may be more than I can chew, but I want at least to try. Thanks. — urashimataro (talk) 02:20, 26 October 2008 (UTC)


 * Leaning to read classical Japanese takes a long time. I began while I was in college and have continued on my own for almost 10 years now. I suppose the first thing to do is to familiarize yourself with the grammar. My classes used McCullough's Bungo Manual. While fairly minimal, it is a decent reference. Next, and most importantly, your will need a classical Japanese dictionary. These are called 古語辞典 in Japanese and you may find many at just about any decent-size bookstore in Japan. I can highly recommend the 岩波古語辞典 (補訂版) by the late Susumu Ōno. It is easily the most complete single volume classical Japanese dictionary. However, there are a few quirks that you need to get accustomed to, such as listing verbs in their 連用形 instead of 終止形 as is typically done. It has several great appendixes discussing classical grammar, titles, palace layouts etc. There are many other dictionaries out there. Some with words such as 全訳 in the title will include modern Japanese translations for the citations. While useful to begin with, they 1) take up unneeded space that may be used for other entries and 2) are ultimately a crouch to actually understand the original. Look through them and see what works best for you.
 * That should get your started on the language. Next are the actual texts. The Iwanami 古典文学大系 are the standard references. There are two 100-set series. They contain the original text with extensive background notes and commentary. The original series is several decades old and may often be found at used book stores at inexpensive prices. The newer set just came to a completion a few years back. Some of the volumes may be found at reasonable prices. Shōgakukan also published an 88-volume collection of classical texts. Most distinctive is in addition to the original text and notes, it provides a modern Japanese translation as well. Depending on your purposes, this may seem useful. However, if your purpose is to read the original then you may end up cheating yourself. Also, in time, you may realize that nuances of the original are lost in the translation. The Iwanami sets are regarded as the most authorize and definate references. There are a few other series out there as well.
 * The Taiheiki may be found in the original Iwanami set in volumes 34-36, as well as the Shōgakukan set if I remember correctly. Gukanshō may be found in the original Iwanami set volume 86. Azuma Kagami is not so readily available. Iwanami published a 8-volume bunko edition in the 1940's; however, they are hard to find now. The 国史大系 (volumes 32-33) series also includes it, but stay away from that set unless you have a lot of special training. I assume that the modern translations that you mentioned are from Yoshikawa Kōbunkan. I briefly did some tachiyomi at the bookstore, but I can not really say anything too definite.
 * Learning classical Japanese will take a long time. But if it is something that interests you, then the time may be well spent. Good luck. Bendono (talk) 03:33, 26 October 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for the prompt, long and useful answer. I would use a translation instead of the original only if unavoidable, because I have learned quickly how many errors and imprecisions exist in translations (I am a translator myself). I have plenty of time to learn, and I hope I will persistent enough. I copied down your tips, will go to Jinbochō looking for the Iwanami 古典文学大系 and to Kiinokuniya to find the rest. urashimataro (talk) 04:24, 26 October 2008 (UTC)
 * Hi, Bendono.

Nihongo template
Hello, will you please add a Nihongo template to the new article hossu? Thank you. You can find the characters here: http://books.google.com/books?id=LbwnrRmLqPoC&pg=PA722&dq=hossu&lr=#PPA722,M1.(Mind meal (talk) 02:57, 26 October 2008 (UTC))


 * (ec) Done. Your link used used the traditional characters 拂子. Modern Japanese uses 払子 as seen in dictionaries as well as the now linked Japanese article. Hopefully this will be suitable. Bendono (talk) 03:41, 26 October 2008 (UTC)


 * Thank you. Yeah it works, I can't read any of it anyway. So I trust it is accurate! Ha ha!(Mind meal (talk) 03:38, 26 October 2008 (UTC))