There is also 'Mukaegana' (leading kana)

'Mukaegana' (leading kana) was angry.
The object of its anger is 'Okurigana' (trailing kana).

In school and social life, only 'Okurigana' is dealt with.
In the first place, the overwhelming majority of people probably don't even know that 'Mukaegana' exists.

This article was written to understand the feelings of 'Mukaegana' and to tell everyone,

that is what I wanted to convey.

About this article ⬇️⬇️

1. Reconfirming 'Okurigana'!

Before talking about 'Mukaegana', I first want to confirm what 'Okurigana' is.

I assume you know that 'okurigana' refers to the following.

To explain 'okurigana' concisely,

is what one could say.

'Okurigana' appears frequently in both school education and the Kanji Kentei, so I believe everyone has studied it.

With that said, here is a brief summary.

❷ What is 'mukae-gana'?

I hear that question, so I would like to explain.

Let's take the word '三重' as an example.

As it is, '三重', it is unclear whether to read it as '三重sanju' or '三重mie'.

Therefore, we add 'サ' before '三重'.

With this, we know to read it as '三重sanju'.

This 'サ' is called a 'leading kana'.

Let me give you other examples.

What is a "leading kana"?

That is what it is.

【補足】

「振り仮名みたいなもの？」と思った人。
その解釈で合っています。

振り仮名と迎え仮名は、”役割の面で”似ています。

As for the image of "leading kana" versus "trailing kana",

perhaps it is something like this.

Some people might think that.

Certainly, looking at the two sentences below, it seems possible to judge from the context.

Well then, how about the next sentence?

This sentence can be interpreted in two ways.

However, if you use "okurigana"...

You can read it smoothly as "a deserted amusement park"!

I am aware that there are people who say that.
I want to deliver the finishing blow to such people.

Looking at the following expression, can you determine who it refers to in two seconds?

With this expression,

it is unclear which one it refers to.

However,

if you use "trailing kana," you can tell in an instant that it refers to former Prime Minister Suga.

Even for readings that can be interpreted in two ways, if "trailing kana" is used, the reader can judge immediately.

Essayist Yoko Kishimoto states the following regarding having one's writing read in "Nihongo Bunsho ga Wakaru" (Understanding Japanese Writing) (Aera Mook).

Expressions that are difficult to understand or can be interpreted in two ways end up demanding 'a high level of effort' from the other party.

However, by using 'mukaegana' (welcoming kana), you can reduce the burden on the reader (the burden of distinguishing between kanji readings).

❸ The jealousy of mukaegana

'Okuri' (sending) and 'mukae' (welcoming) are words often used as a set.

However, when paired with the word 'kana', only'okurigana'is used.

In contrast, 'mukaegana' is angry.
It is losing its patience.

'Mukae-gana' decided to fight.

There, what 'Mukae-gana' remembered were the words of Sun Tzu, famous for 'The Art of War'.

This was because 'Mukae-gana' liked classical Chinese literature.

To defeat 'Okuri-gana' (trailing kana), one must first know the opponent.

'Mukae-gana' immediately looked up the meaning of 'Okuri-gana' in a dictionary.
Then, a shocking fact was revealed.

(Below, the emphasis dots in the quoted sections were added by me)

Yes, "okurigana" are things that determine the reading of kanji・・・・・・・・・・・・・.

For example,

Take this kanji "細".

It can be read as "hoso" or "koma".

You cannot tell the reading from "細" alone, but

if "okurigana" are attached like this, it is immediately obvious.

You can determine the reading.

Other examples include,

and so on.

As someone who likes classical Chinese, "mukae-gana" reminds me of high school classes.

The character '過' is used in both Classical Chinese A and Classical Chinese B.
As it stands, it is impossible to know what is written.

However, if we add 'okurigana' here...!

The reading of each '過' is,

as we can see.
From this, we can confirm once again that

is something that can be confirmed once again.

Knowing this, 'mukae-gana' thinks.

And...!

In this way, 'mukae-gana' is a guy who 'will understand if you talk to it'.
Furthermore, it is also a 'reliable' guy that 'makes sentences easier to read'.

Why not try using these "okurigana" in your daily life?

[June 15, 2023: Update!]

In the comments,

I received this opinion.
I completely agree, haha 😅

First, we need to create opportunities to learn about "okurigana" in places like schools!!

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