Haruhiko Kindaichi
Encyclopedia
Haruhiko Kindaichi was a Japanese linguist
and a scholar of Japanese linguistics Kokugogaku
. He was well known as an editor of Japanese dictionaries and his research in Japanese dialects. His medal for merit is (Order of the Rising Sun
). He took the Doctor of Literature degree at Tokyo University
, in 1962. He was given official commendation as someone who has performed special service in the field of culture, an honorary citizen of the Tokyo
Metropolitan District, etc.
, Tokyo City (now Hongo 6-chome, Bunkyo-ward
, Tokyo Metropolitan District), as the eldest and only son of Shizue (née Hayashi) and noted linguist and expert on the Ainu language
Kyōsuke Kindaichi
. The son resembled the father in his enthusiasm for learning and his mother in her secularism. When their son was born, his father had lost his job as a proofreader of the Sanseido
Encyclopaedia, so his family was in dire economic straits. His father eventually worked as a professor at Tokyo Imperial University.
, and Hideho Kindaichi, a linguist and a professor at Kyorin University
.
, to become a familiar and honoured public intellectual, who could always be called on to help in discussions on radio and television concerning language.
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguistics can be broadly broken into three categories or subfields of study: language form, language meaning, and language in context....
and a scholar of Japanese linguistics Kokugogaku
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguistics can be broadly broken into three categories or subfields of study: language form, language meaning, and language in context....
. He was well known as an editor of Japanese dictionaries and his research in Japanese dialects. His medal for merit is (Order of the Rising Sun
Order of the Rising Sun
The is a Japanese order, established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. The Order was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese Government, created on April 10, 1875 by decree of the Council of State. The badge features rays of sunlight from the rising sun...
). He took the Doctor of Literature degree at Tokyo University
University of Tokyo
, abbreviated as , is a major research university located in Tokyo, Japan. The University has 10 faculties with a total of around 30,000 students, 2,100 of whom are foreign. Its five campuses are in Hongō, Komaba, Kashiwa, Shirokane and Nakano. It is considered to be the most prestigious university...
, in 1962. He was given official commendation as someone who has performed special service in the field of culture, an honorary citizen of the Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
Metropolitan District, etc.
Early life
He was born on April 3, 1913, at his mother's home in Morikawa-cho, Hongo-wardHongo
Hongō is a district of Tokyo located in Bunkyō-ku, due north of the Tokyo Imperial Palace and west of Ueno. Hongō was a ward of the former city of Tokyo until 1947, when it merged with another ward, Koishikawa, to form the modern Bunkyō....
, Tokyo City (now Hongo 6-chome, Bunkyo-ward
Bunkyo, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. Situated in the middle of the ward area, Bunkyō is a residential and educational center. Beginning in the Meiji period, literati like Natsume Sōseki, as well as scholars and politicians have lived there...
, Tokyo Metropolitan District), as the eldest and only son of Shizue (née Hayashi) and noted linguist and expert on the Ainu language
Ainu language
Ainu is one of the Ainu languages, spoken by members of the Ainu ethnic group on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaidō....
Kyōsuke Kindaichi
Kyosuke Kindaichi
was an eminent Japanese linguist from Morioka, Iwate Prefecture. He is chiefly known for his dictations of yukar, or sagas of the Ainu people. Linguist Haruhiko Kindaichi was his son....
. The son resembled the father in his enthusiasm for learning and his mother in her secularism. When their son was born, his father had lost his job as a proofreader of the Sanseido
Sanseido
is a Japanese publishing company known for publishing dictionaries and textbooks....
Encyclopaedia, so his family was in dire economic straits. His father eventually worked as a professor at Tokyo Imperial University.
Family
Harukiho eventually married and had two sons: Masumi Kindaichi, a scholar of Russian and a professor at Keio UniversityKeio University
,abbreviated as Keio or Keidai , is a Japanese university located in Minato, Tokyo. It is known as the oldest institute of higher education in Japan. Founder Fukuzawa Yukichi originally established it as a school for Western studies in 1858 in Edo . It has eleven campuses in Tokyo and Kanagawa...
, and Hideho Kindaichi, a linguist and a professor at Kyorin University
Kyorin University
is a private university located in the western part of Tokyo, Japan. Its two campuses are in Mitaka and Hachiō-ji, Tokyo. It was established in 1970...
.
Work
Haruhiko became known to the broader public with the publication of his book Nihongo (book) in 1957, which became a bestseller for its anecdotal approach to the nature of the Japanese language. He went on, with Susumu ŌnoSusumu Ono
was a Tokyo-born linguist, specializing in the early history of the Japanese language Kokugogaku. He graduated from the University of Tokyo in 1943, where he studied under Shinkichi Hashimoto...
, to become a familiar and honoured public intellectual, who could always be called on to help in discussions on radio and television concerning language.
Awards
- Medals of Honor (Japan)Medals of Honor (Japan)Since the late 19th Century, the Government of Japan has issued six different types of to individuals for achievements in various fields.The Medals of Honor were established on December 7, 1881, and were first awarded the following year. Several expansions and amendments have been made since then...
(1977) - Order of the Rising SunOrder of the Rising SunThe is a Japanese order, established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. The Order was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese Government, created on April 10, 1875 by decree of the Council of State. The badge features rays of sunlight from the rising sun...
, 3rd class (1986) - Person of Cultural MeritPerson of Cultural Meritis an official Japanese recognition-honor which is awarded annually to select people who have made outstanding cultural contributions. This distinction is intended to play a role as a part of a system of support measures for the promotion of creative activities in Japan...
(1997) - Order of the Sacred TreasureOrder of the Sacred TreasureThe is a Japanese Order, established on January 4, 1888 by Emperor Meiji of Japan as the Order of Meiji. It is awarded in eight classes . It is generally awarded for long and/or meritorious service and considered to be the lowest of the Japanese orders of merit...
, 2nd class (2004)