Bungo Manual: Selected Reference Materials for Students of Classical Japanese (Cornell East Asia, No. 48) (Cornell East Asia Series Number 48) [Paperback]

Helen C. McCullough (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1988 | ISBN-10: 0939657481 | ISBN-13: 978-0939657483

This small handbook is designed primarily as a reference tool for students of classical Japanese (bungo) who possess a working knowledge of the modern language. The first of its two main sections discusses suffixes attached to each of the verbal bases recognized by Japanese grammarians; the second treats important particles and miscellaneous parts of speech in alphabetical order. A table lists suffixes and their bases in alphabetical order, with cross references to the first section; three others show modern and classical verb and adjective categories and their bases. There are also short sections on grammatical patterns, respect verbs, sound changes, and traditional kana usage. Now includes a six-page index compiled by John Wallace, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Helen Craig McCullough (1918-1998) was an eminent scholar of classical Japanese poetry and prose. Her scholarly publications include 11 volumes of studies and translations. She co-authored with husband William H. McCullough the monumental two-volume translation and study of A Tale of Flowering Fortunes, whose authoritative notes and appendices make it an encyclopedia of Heian court life. Her books provide authoritative interpretations of masterpieces in classical Japanese literature. Other titles include Tales of Ise, The Tale of the Heike, Anthology of Poems Ancient and Modern, and The Great Mirror.

Product Details

• Paperback: 89 pages
• Publisher: Cornell Univ East Asia Program (June 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0939657481
• ISBN-13: 978-0939657483
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #696,811 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must for students of Classical Japanese!, September 7, 2000

By 

Michael Wallace (Toronto) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bungo Manual: Selected Reference Materials for Students of Classical Japanese (Cornell East Asia, No. 48) (Cornell East Asia Series Number 48) (Paperback)

This reference manual is a concise, yet thorough overview of the Japanese language of the classical era. As stated in the preface, its mere aim is to "bring together useful materials from Japanese reference works in a form convenient for Western students using the classical language." And so it does, with many references from the more well known writings, such as Genji Monogatari, Makura no sooshi, and Man'yooshuu, among others. The manual is carefully divided into various sections, based on grammatical function; vocabulary items are then introduced, with its various semantic values and its Modern Japanese cognate, or equivalent. Subsequently, examples are taken from a piece of classical literature to illustrate the particular vocabulary item's function--this method helps to maintain a high level of retention. Overall, this is a wonderful little book that is a lot more valuable than it actually costs...it is an investment that is priceless!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book, but best supplimented with another, May 22, 2003

By 

ksiezycowy (Rochester, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bungo Manual: Selected Reference Materials for Students of Classical Japanese (Cornell East Asia, No. 48) (Cornell East Asia Series Number 48) (Paperback)

This book is a good reference grammar, and very good for the student of Classical Japanese. However the Japanese vocabulary in the book is not explained well, and it is all in romaji. I would recommend anyone who buys this book to buy a good grammar or dictionary with it. Such as the new Classical Japanese: A Grammar and Classical Japanese Reader and Essential Dictionary books.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bungo Manual, May 18, 2010

By 

Sarah Görlich - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bungo Manual: Selected Reference Materials for Students of Classical Japanese (Cornell East Asia, No. 48) (Cornell East Asia Series Number 48) (Paperback)

Wirklich gutes Buch zum Lernen von Bungo (leicht zu Verstehen).
Schnelle Lieferung.
Alles okey!
Vielen Dank!