Illustrated Classical Japanese Grammar

This is a book that seems helpful for people who lack basic knowledge. It makes scoring in Classical Chinese and Classical Japanese on the Common Test more interesting.

Approach for distinguishing conjugation patterns:

• Distinguishing based on reasons:
  • Determine based on the word directly below or the word that influences it.
  • Memorize the logic.
• Distinguishing based on results:
  • Memorize the conjugation table.

Conjugation of verbs:

• Conjugation table:
  • Upper Ichidan (Class 1) verbs:
    • Differences between いとゐ (itaru, iru):
      • 射る (itaru) and 鋳る (iru) belong to this category.
      • 率る (itaru) and 居る (iru) belong to this category.
      • These should be memorized.
  • Sahu (Class 2) verbs:
    • Pay attention to the combination of a noun and す (su) and other conjugation patterns.
    • If it is a one-character kanji with on’yomi followed by す (su), it is definitely a Sahu verb.
    • Also, おはす (ohasu) belongs to this category.
  • Distinguishing non-memorization (Yodan, Upper Nidan, Lower Nidan) conjugation forms:
    • Add ない (nai) and check the imperfective form.
      • By chance, the imperfective form has not changed in modern times, so the intuition of modern people can be used.
  • Other points:
    • Be careful with compound verbs and try to notice them.
      • For example, かかり (kakari) and さり (sari) are not obvious (Rahu).
      • Make sure not to include る (ru) in the conjugation pattern.

Conjugation of adjectives:

• Conjugation table:
  • Instead of memorizing all patterns, it seems easier to understand the relationships and differences.
  • Differences between ku-conjugation and shiku-conjugation, etc.
  • Differences between the left column of adjective conjugation and Rahu.
• Distinguishing conjugation patterns:
  • If it is not the same as the conclusive form, it can be distinguished normally.
  • If it is not distinguishable in the conclusive form, add なる (naru) and check the continuative form.
    • By chance, the continuative form has not changed in modern times, so the intuition of modern people can be used.

Conjugation of adjectival nouns:

• Conjugation table:
  • The right side is the auxiliary verb version, and the left side is the non-auxiliary verb version.
    • Note that this is the opposite of the adjective table.
• Distinguishing conjugation patterns:
  • First of all, the Ta form hardly appears, and in any case, it is obvious.
• Distinguishing between auxiliary verbs and conjugation patterns:
  • There are also auxiliary verbs such as たり (tari) and なり (nari), which can be confusing.
  • Identification method:
    • If adding とても (totemo) makes sense, it is an adjectival noun.
• There is also a phenomenon called “onbin” (sound euphony).