Encyclopedia Nipponica
Encyclopedia
was published in 1984 from Shogakukan
. The first edition of Encyclopedia Nipponica included 25 volumes and was completed in 1989. Encyclopedia Nipponica was intended to further describe Japan
and Japanese in depth and at large. After 10 years of preparation, over 130,000 entries and 500,000 indexes were organized in alphabetical order in more than 23,000 pages. The most recent version, 1994, has 26 volumes, including the separate volumes of indexes and an auxiliary. However, Encyclopedia Nipponica is currently out of print.
(世界大百科事典, Sekai daihyakka jiten), was published from Heibonsha. Since the foundation in 1914, Heibonsha has put emphasis on encyclopedias. Currently, World Encyclopedia holds three editions: World Encyclopedia, World Encyclopedia on DVD, and the online edition called Netto de hyakka.
, sciences, humanities
, leisure
, and lifestyle, emphasizing the Japanese social climate and culture. It focuses on the local region and its history, holding 3,325 entries of Japanese place names. At the same time, it explains foreign countries, culture, history, and societies, focusing especially on relationships with Japan.
The length of the articles varies. Some are only a paragraph, while the others are over two pages. The articles are signed. Over 50,000 clear and beautiful images enable the users to enjoy the encyclopedia and to understand the explanation. In particular, sciences and arts articles contain graphs, charts, maps, earth satellite maps, chronological tables, pictures of the arts, and portraits.
The verb
entries are the other feature of Encyclopedia Nipponica, which cannot be seen in conventional encyclopedias. They not only explain the simple meaning of verbs but also describe them culturally, socially, and scientifically. For instance, the entry of “walk
” explains the ways and the reason for both people and animals to walk and the results of medical experiments on walking.
in Tokyo, Japan, holds the first and second version of Encyclopedia Nipponica.
Shogakukan
is a Japanese publisher of dictionaries, literature, manga, non-fiction, DVDs, and other media in Japan.Shogakukan founded Shueisha which founded Hakusensha. These are three separate companies, but are together called the Hitotsubashi Group, one of the largest publishing groups in Japan...
. The first edition of Encyclopedia Nipponica included 25 volumes and was completed in 1989. Encyclopedia Nipponica was intended to further describe Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and Japanese in depth and at large. After 10 years of preparation, over 130,000 entries and 500,000 indexes were organized in alphabetical order in more than 23,000 pages. The most recent version, 1994, has 26 volumes, including the separate volumes of indexes and an auxiliary. However, Encyclopedia Nipponica is currently out of print.
Shogakukan and Heibonsha
When it was founded in 1922, Shogakukan specialized in study books and magazines for elementary school students. According to its websites, 日本百科大事典 (Nihon hyakka daijiten) published in 1962 was the first encyclopedia from Shogakukan. Since then, Shogakukan has continuously published encyclopedias: 世界原色百科事典 (Sekai genshoku hyakka jiten) in 1965, 大日本百科事典ジャポニカ (Dainihon hyakka jiten japonica) in 1967, こども百科事典 (Kodomo hyakka jiten) in 1970, and 万有百科大事典 (Banyu hyakka daijiten) in 1972 among others. Shogakukan's Encyclopedia Nipponica has been one of the major Japanese encyclopedias. The other major encyclopedia, Heibonsha World EncyclopediaHeibonsha World Encyclopedia
The is one of Japan's two major encyclopedias, the other being the Encyclopedia Nipponica. The World Encyclopedia is widely held to be the most complete and up-to-date encyclopedia in the Japanese language.-Formats:...
(世界大百科事典, Sekai daihyakka jiten), was published from Heibonsha. Since the foundation in 1914, Heibonsha has put emphasis on encyclopedias. Currently, World Encyclopedia holds three editions: World Encyclopedia, World Encyclopedia on DVD, and the online edition called Netto de hyakka.
Topics
Over 6,000 authorities contributed articles to the Encyclopedia Nipponica. The topic ranges from social sciencesSocial sciences
Social science is the field of study concerned with society. "Social science" is commonly used as an umbrella term to refer to a plurality of fields outside of the natural sciences usually exclusive of the administrative or managerial sciences...
, sciences, humanities
Humanities
The humanities are academic disciplines that study the human condition, using methods that are primarily analytical, critical, or speculative, as distinguished from the mainly empirical approaches of the natural sciences....
, leisure
Leisure
Leisure, or free time, is time spent away from business, work, and domestic chores. It is also the periods of time before or after necessary activities such as eating, sleeping and, where it is compulsory, education....
, and lifestyle, emphasizing the Japanese social climate and culture. It focuses on the local region and its history, holding 3,325 entries of Japanese place names. At the same time, it explains foreign countries, culture, history, and societies, focusing especially on relationships with Japan.
The length of the articles varies. Some are only a paragraph, while the others are over two pages. The articles are signed. Over 50,000 clear and beautiful images enable the users to enjoy the encyclopedia and to understand the explanation. In particular, sciences and arts articles contain graphs, charts, maps, earth satellite maps, chronological tables, pictures of the arts, and portraits.
Special features
In addition to each entry, the encyclopedia contains "collaborations" where several authorities from different academic fields combine their various academic viewpoints.The verb
Verb
A verb, from the Latin verbum meaning word, is a word that in syntax conveys an action , or a state of being . In the usual description of English, the basic form, with or without the particle to, is the infinitive...
entries are the other feature of Encyclopedia Nipponica, which cannot be seen in conventional encyclopedias. They not only explain the simple meaning of verbs but also describe them culturally, socially, and scientifically. For instance, the entry of “walk
WALK
WALK may refer to:*WALK , a radio station licensed to East Patchogue, New York, United States*WALK-FM, a radio station licensed to Patchogue, New York, United States...
” explains the ways and the reason for both people and animals to walk and the results of medical experiments on walking.
Formats
In addition to the paper-based encyclopedia, a CD-ROM version of Encyclopedia Nipponica and DVD version was once available . Entries from the CD-ROM and DVD version totaled 380,000. They also include approximately 80 video clips, 8,000 images, 90 animations, 350 music clips, and 60 virtual reality images. However, all three versions of Encyclopedia Nipponica are out of print as of November 2005. National Diet LibraryNational Diet Library
The is the only national library in Japan. It was established in 1948 for the purpose of assisting members of the in researching matters of public policy. The library is similar in purpose and scope to the U.S...
in Tokyo, Japan, holds the first and second version of Encyclopedia Nipponica.
See also
- Japanese encyclopediasJapanese encyclopediasIn Japanese, encyclopedias are known as hyakka jiten , which literally means "book of a hundred subjects," and can trace their origins to the early Heian period, in the ninth century. Encyclopedic works were published in Japan for well over a thousand years before Japan's first modern encyclopedias...
- Shogakukan
- Heibonsha