Thammasat Journal of Japanese Studies

A Re-interpretation of Chū in Bushidō: Taking Musashibō Benkei in Kanjinchō as an Example

2024-11-13T10:09:00+07:00

The Kanjinchō is a masterpiece of Kabuki, and the character image of its protagonist, Musashibō Benkei, has a wide cultural influence. This article attempts to reinterpret the meaning of the character images in Kanjinchō as the cultural text of chū in Bushidō. In this process of reinterpretation, in addition to the general approach of cultural criticism, it also combines exploration of historical background and interdisciplinary research techniques. The final conclusion is that chū in Bushidō is based on the “emotion” with the ruler and reinterpreted as the practice of the ruler’s will. This kind of loyalty has legitimacy and moral value, and has a combat nature. In addition, in order to practice this loyalty, warriors need to possess qualities of bravery and intelligence. This study has the significance of recapturing the concept of Bushidō from a new perspective and exploring its deeper significance. Meanwhile, the concept of chū in Bushidō implies that it also has inherited value in modern society.

A Comparative Study of Strategies and Sentence Structures for Requests in Situations of Borrowing Money Between Japanese and Japanese Language Learners

2024-09-04T16:30:49+07:00

Requests are speech acts that can result in misunderstandings in cross-cultural communication due to the diverse communicative methods inherent in different cultures. This makes it difficult for foreign language learners to choose appropriate strategies and sentence structures suitable for specific situations in the target language. This research aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the strategies and sentence structures used in requests by Japanese speakers (JJ) and Thai (TL), Chinese (CL), and Korean (KL) learners of Japanese, by analyzing conversations in the language corpus “Hatsuwa Taisho Database”, with 20 pairs per group, totaling 80 pairs. The study found that (1) The JJ group tends to use strategy of [expressing desires] more frequently, in contrast to the TL and CL groups, which are more inclined to use the strategy of [asking for convenience]. The KL group, however, uses both strategies [expressing desires] and [asking for convenience] in equal proportion. (2) The JJ and CL groups predominantly use sentence structures that include Supportive Move(s) and Head Act, whereas the TL group primarily uses sentence structures that consist only of Head Act. However, the CL group uses sentence structures that include either Supportive Move(s) or Head Act in equal proportion. (3) The JJ group uses Supportive Move(s) to express apologies, whereas all learner groups except the TL group use Supportive Move(s) to explain the circumstances. (4) All groups except the TL group tend to use politeness strategies, such as trailing off sentences, polite negations and modal verbs. The results of this research indicate the pragmatic features and highlight areas for improvement that Thai learners of Japanese should focus on to effectively communicate in a suitable manner for various situations. Additionally, recommendations are provided as guidelines for Japanese language education.

Using Computer Games to Promote Understanding of the TE Form Verb Conjugation Among Upper Secondary Japanese Language Program Students

2024-12-20T10:46:08+07:00

This research 1) compared learning outcomes among upper secondary students in a Japanese language program in understanding TE form verb conjugation before and after playing a computer game; 2) examined post-game student retention of TE form conjugation rules; and 3) investigated student satisfaction levels with the computer game 31 samples were twelfth grade students who provided data by a 1) computer game designed to promote understanding of TE form conjugation; 2) TE form knowledge test administered before, immediately after, and two weeks following play; 3) student satisfaction questionnaire about the computer game, and 4) follow-up interviews.

Results: Comparison of pre- game and post-game learning outcomes showed statistically significant improvement, with the average score increasing from 30% to 64.76%. Two weeks after gameplay, 51.60% of students retained the TE form conjugation rules. In terms of student satisfaction with the computer game, average scores for understanding content was 4.59 (highest level); game design was 4.48 (high level); and usefulness for learners at 4.54 (highest level).

The Comparison of the Meanings of the Verb “Len” in Thai and the Verb “Asobu” in Japanese

2025-03-03T09:55:33+07:00

The present study sought to compare the meanings of of the verb “Len” in Thai and the verb「遊ぶ」(asobu) in Japanese through an analysis of texts from the Thai National Corpus (TNC). The results demonstrated that the meanings of the two verbs exhibit similarities and differences. Specifically, the similarity lay in their primary meanings, which involve “enjoyment or pleasure.” The differences, on the other hand, pertained to their extended meanings. In particular, the specific meaning conveyed by「遊ぶ」included: 1) enjoying inappropriate actions at the expense of others or animals; 2) a place, machinery, equipment, or funds which are not utilized efficiently; and 3) traveling to different places to seek knowledge or experiences. Meanwhile, the specific meanings of “Len” involved: 1) utilizing one’s ability to engage in political activities or performances; 2) interacting with the opponent; 3) betting or taking risks by engaging in certain activites in which one lacks knowledge or experience; and 4) exercising power to handle matters with which the general public believes should remain uninvolved.

The results reflect differences in perspectives on language using. In essence, the verb「遊ぶ」is used in its primary and extended meanings to depict activites which the Japanese perceive as “done with enjoyment or pleasure.” However, activites “performed out of duties, rules, or social norms” are described by other verbs. Meanwhile, the verb “Len” across its meanings is employed to describe activities which Thai speakers view as “goal-oriented actions,” which may be undertaken with enjoyment or pleasure and carried out in accordance with duties or rules.

Japan’s Roles in the Indian Ocean Region

2025-05-14T09:57:09+07:00

Before the 1960s, Japan’s roles in the Indian Ocean Region had been comparatively minimal. Since the 1960s, Japan’s rapid expansion in international trades and investments, superpowers rivalries coupled with crises in several countries in the Indian Ocean Region have influenced Japan’s policies. In order to secure sea lanes, resource and markets in the Indian Ocean Region, Japan’s roles in this region have been bilaterally and multilaterally increased. Apart from economic dimension, Japan’s activities in security dimension have also significantly increased especially after the end of the Cold War.

Scripting Suicide in Japan

2024-11-12T12:02:43+07:00

This publication by Kirsten Cather, who teaches Modern Japanese Literature and Film at the University of Texas at Austin, the United States of America, is a literary overview of the modern and historical theme of suicide in Japan. It discusses writers of all ages and degrees of accomplishment, including Misao Fujimura, Akutagawa Ryūnosuke, Kishigami Daisaku, Tsuburaya Kōkichi, Etō Jun, and Yamada Hanako.

In addition to poetry and fiction, media such as film, theater, and manga are also descriptively analyzed as expressing ideas and emotions related to suicide. Associate Professor Cather usefully evaluates ephemera as well as more permanent writing, including works by literary tyros, despite their lack of polish or finesse. A geographical analysis of sites in Japan where suicides are frequent and an extended chapter on the writings and films of Yukio Mishima add to the overall message that Japan has been creatively inspired by suicide. Even researchers who may dismiss the notion that Japanese writers are more suicidal than those of other nations should find useful material in this dense study.

A Study of Approaches to Facilitate Bottom-up Processing in the Reading Comprehension Process of Learners of Japanese

2024-09-03T10:02:20+07:00

This paper discusses approaches that promote the ability of Japanese language learners to carry out bottom-up processing when reading texts. Chunking and reading aloud have been suggested to automate bottom-up processing skills and are thought to facilitate bottom-up processing as follows: 1) Chunking or word segmentation is an activity that helps students to recognize word clusters and narrow their visual range through the practice of separating strings of letters into shorter words. This process is expected to prevent any misrecognition of letters and words; 2) Chunk reading involves processing on a multiword unit-by-multiword unit basis rather than a sentence-by-sentence basis, which reduces the cognitive load of processing in longer sentences with complex syntactic structures; 3) Chunk reading is a method of reading using the word order of the target language, which increases reading speed by preventing return reading; 4) Reading aloud is a language activity that links the written word to its pronunciation. Reading aloud speeds up the process of converting written words into phonemes. When phonological encoding is accelerated, word recognition, a lower processing task, becomes automatic; 5) Reading aloud is an activity that makes the word-internal repetitions that take place in the mind and promotes the speeding up of word-internal repetitions. When word-internal repetition is accelerated, the capacity for processing resource allocation is increased and the surplus can be allocated to content comprehension.

J.League and Its Impact on Social and Local Development

2025-03-24T18:11:26+07:00

The J.League, Japan’s professional football league, is recognized as one of the highest quality football leagues in Asia and global. Since its establishment in 1993, the J.League has not only helped Japanese football gain international prominence but also had a significant impact on social and local development in Japan. Football teams in the J.League are not merely representatives of the sport but have become symbols of local communities, helping to foster a sense of pride among the people in those areas.

Having a professional football team in each city or province can directly stimulate the local economy. It serves as a hometown system to develop society and the local area, such as increasing revenue from tourism, consumption of local goods and services, and creating jobs for the public. Hosting renowned competitions also helps attract attention from the media and international audiences, which helps raise global awareness of the local area and its culture.

Furthermore, the J.League has been an important tool for building social connections and community development. It has contributed to supporting social activities, developing youth skills, and enhancing quality of life in various aspects through a program called 「シャレン！」(Sharen!). The J.League has played a significant role in developing communities in areas such as education, health promotion, fostering social diversity, disaster prevention and earthquake recovery, as well as engaging in environmental activities in collaboration with local football clubs. Both the hometown system and the 「シャレン！」(Sharen!) program help promote the stability and sustainability of Japanese society and local communities.