The Function of “Awauta” in Ancient Woshite Documents

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  • ヲシテ文献にみるアワウタの役割
  • オシテ　ブンケン　ニ　ミル　アワウタ　ノ　ヤクワリ

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Description

Ancient Woshite documents are about history and civilization up to the twelfth Emperor Keiko. Awa-uta consisted of 48 sounds appears in the first chapter of "Hotsumatsutaye” and "Mikasafumi”, Woshite documents in the form of long poem 5 syllables and 7 syllables. Awa-uta starting with "a, ka, ha, na, ma…” creates the 48 Japanese syllabary table. According to the documents, there were twelve Emperors existed before the first Emperor Jimmu. The sixth generation of Kamiyo(earlier emperors era), the country fell in state of disorder by population growth and problems in communication. Emperor Isanagi and Empress Isanami inherited the seventh generation and went around the whole country to teach children and adults language, agriculture, and weaving and so on. Isanagi sings first 24 sounds, and then Isanami sings latter 24 sounds along with instruments to teach people to pronounce words clearly, to communicate well, and to learn rules in order to rebuild the country. By singing Awa-uta, you can learn the mora which is distinctive feature of Japanese language, and differentiate each vowel and consonant sound. Awa-uta was created with wisdom into a suitable form to teach phonetics effectively. The 48 sounds of Awa-uta also symbolize one of the extremely significant concept in Ancient Philosophy.

Journal

  • 研究論集

    研究論集 110 193-202, 2019-09

    Kansai Gaidai University

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