Hello friends.

Hello friends. Today, I had class to study how to read old Japanese letters at KUMADAI education department( I’m a teacher at public elementary school. I should take class to get next 10 years license) My major was classical Japanese literature. In my university days, I studied it for my knowledge. But today, I remind you, international friends.

Japanese 仮名(かな KANA)is made from, made of 漢字(かんじ KANJI). ひらがな(HIRAGANA)is made from whole KANJI shape. For example, 「い is made from 以.The whole shape and sound are same.」

カタカナ(かたかな KATAKANA)is made of parts of KANJI. 「イ(い) is made of 伊. The part and sound are same.」

It is 真名仮名(まなかなMANAKANA) that you know and you can find out easily. They are made from, made of KANJI and they exist still now.

In addition, there are 変体仮名, it’s used to express in other ways. Sometimes it’s used in our daily life. For example,You might see it on the chopsticks cover paper. It’s written, おてもと, the meaning is 御手元,(おてもと, otemoto), near your hands. But the letters are 御手も登(と. sound is TO, same. But it’s really different shape from と, 止 ) Yes, It’s the 変体仮名. They are same only the sounds, not being similar the shape.

If you think Japanese are difficult, No need to worry😊😁. Almost of Japanese people can’t read and understand 真名仮名、変体仮名well😁😜. I just shared you to answer when you wonder the reason of KANA source. And in case for you want to go into some good Japanese traditional restaurant. Some of my friends say, Japanese letters,HIRAGANA, あい,う,,,are easy but KANJI are difficult. If you remember my story, you feel the KANJI and HIRAGANA more closely, more relative. I hope just to enjoy and feel interesting Japanese language! ーAtsuko(Ü)