How many classical words are included in the dictionary?

Approximately 700 love-related classical Japanese words from works like the 'Man'yōshū' and 'The Tale of Genji.'

Who wrote and edited the book?

Edited by Shogakukan's Japanese Dictionary Editorial Department, with columns by six experts including Akira Kaminaga.

Who is the target audience?

General readers interested in classics, as well as high school and college students who find classical Japanese difficult.

Where can I buy this book?

Available at bookstores nationwide and online retailers like Amazon and honto.

Did 'Seen Without Replying' Exist in the Heian Period? 'Dictionary of Romantic Classical Japanese Words' Featuring 700 Expressions Resonating with Modern Love, Released July 13 by Shogakukan!

Q: When will the 'Dictionary of Romantic Classical Japanese Words' be released?

It will be published by Shogakukan on July 13, 2026.

Published Jul 13, 2026 10:00 PM ・ Updated Jul 13, 2026 3:17 PM ・ 5 min read ・ Source: PR TIMES

Shogakukan announces the release of 'Dictionary of Romantic Classical Japanese Words' on July 13, 2026, featuring approximately 700 classical Japanese words related to love drawn from classics like the 'Man'yōshū' and 'The Tale of Genji,' explained with illustrations for modern readers.

Shogakukan has published the 'Dictionary of Romantic Classical Japanese Words,' compiling around 700 classical Japanese words related to love and romance from classical literature such as the 'Man'yōshū' and 'The Tale of Genji'!

Figures like Princess Nukata, Ono no Komachi, Izumi Shikibu, and Ariwara no Narihira—romantic expressions from classical works studied in school, including the 'Man'yōshū' and 'The Tale of Genji,' have been extracted and clearly explained with illustrations. Even those who found classical literature confusing in class can now enjoy it through the lens of romantic vocabulary!

Examples of words included:

Usuhanagokoro (薄花心)… A fickle heart lacking sincerity, easily swayed.

Ochikatabito (遠方人)… A person from afar; a lover living far away.

Koishinu (恋ひ死ぬ)… To die of longing; to fall fatally ill from intense love; to perish from yearning.

Keburikurabe (煙比べ)… Comparing the depth of feelings; measuring the intensity of love.

Ime no ai (夢の逢ひ)… Meeting in a dream.

The image of lovers growing closer through exchanging poems, separated by curtains or hedges, resonates surprisingly with modern romance!?

In an era without social media, messaging apps, phones, or even postal mail, people were moved by hearsay before ever seeing their beloved, continued longing for distant lovers by sending poems, and entrusted their hopes to dreams and fortune-telling. Reading through classical words reveals unexpected parallels with modern relationships.

Enjoyable even for those who disliked classical literature in school!

Beyond standard alphabetical lookup, the book allows casual reading from any word of interest. Charming illustrations and columns introduce historical romance customs. Whether you're a classical literature enthusiast or completely new to classical Japanese, this book is accessible and enjoyable. It might even inspire you to read the original source works.

Prestigious contributors wrote the columns!

Columns were authored by renowned experts in classical literature. Akira Kaminaga, Tomoko Tani, Tarareba, Tae Hirano, Tatsuya Mishima (Suehirogarizu), and Yasuaki Watanabe offer diverse perspectives on love, language, and classical texts.

'Dictionary of Romantic Classical Japanese Words'

Edited by: Shogakukan Japanese Dictionary Editorial Department

Price: 1,650 yen (tax included)

Size: Yonroku-ban, 160 pages, paperback

ISBN: 978-4-09-504184-1

Release Date: July 13, 2026, Shogakukan

https://www.shogakukan.co.jp/books/09504184

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Source: PR TIMES
Category: New Product

Did 'Seen Without Replying' Exist in the Heian Period? 'Dictionary of Romantic Classical Japanese Words' Featuring 700 Expressions Resonating with Modern Love, Released July 13 by Shogakukan!

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