Haruhiko Kindaichi (金田一春彦, ''Kindaichi Haruhiko''; April 3, 1913 – May 19, 2004) was a Japanese

linguist Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. It is called a scientific study because it entails a comprehensive, systematic, objective, and precise analysis of all aspects of language, particularly its nature and structure. Linguis ...

and a scholar of Japanese

linguistics Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. It is called a scientific study because it entails a comprehensive, systematic, objective, and precise analysis of all aspects of language, particularly its nature and structure. Linguis ...

(known as ''kokugogaku''). He was well known as an editor of Japanese dictionaries and his research in

Japanese dialects The dialects of the Japanese language fall into two primary clades, Eastern (including Tokyo) and Western (including Kyoto), with the dialects of Kyushu and Hachijō Island often distinguished as additional branches, the latter perhaps the most di ...

. He was awarded the

Order of the Rising Sun The is a Japanese order, established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji. The Order was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese government, created on 10 April 1875 by decree of the Council of State. The badge features rays of sunlight ...

for his efforts. He was awarded a Doctor of Literature degree at

Tokyo University , abbreviated as or UTokyo, is a public research university located in Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan. Established in 1877, the university was the first Imperial University and is currently a Top Type university of the Top Global University Project by ...

in 1962. He was given official commendation as someone who has performed special service in the field of culture and an honorary citizen of the

Tokyo Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...

Metropolitan District.

Early life

He was born on April 3, 1913, at his mother's home in Morikawa-cho, Hongo Ward, Tokyo City (now Hongo 6-chome, Bunkyō Ward, Tokyo Metropolitan District), as the eldest and only son of Shizue (''née'' Hayashi) and noted linguist and expert on the

Ainu language Ainu (, ), or more precisely Hokkaido Ainu, is a language spoken by a few elderly members of the Ainu people on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. It is a member of the Ainu language family, itself considered a language family isolate ...

Kyōsuke Kindaichi was a Japanese linguist, chiefly known for his dictations of yukar, or sagas of the Ainu people, as well as his study of the Matagi dialect. He is the author of the dictionary '' Meikai Kokugo Jiten''. Biography Kindaichi was born in Morioka, ...

. The son resembled the father in his enthusiasm for learning and his mother in her secularism. When their son was born, his father had lost his job as a proofreader of the ''

Sanseidō is a Japanese publishing company known for publishing dictionaries and textbooks. Notable publications Dictionary * ''Daijirin'' : Japanese dictionary * ''Sanseido Kokugo Jiten'' : Japanese dictionary * ''Shin Meikai kokugo jiten The , com ...

encyclopaedia An encyclopedia (American English) or encyclopædia (British English) is a reference work or compendium providing summaries of knowledge either general or special to a particular field or discipline. Encyclopedias are divided into articles ...

, so his family was in dire economic straits. His father eventually worked as a professor at Tokyo Imperial University.

Work

Haruhiko became known to the broader public with the publication of his book ''Nihongo'' (''The Japanese Language'') in 1957, which became a bestseller for its anecdotal approach to the nature of the language. He went on, like

Susumu Ōno was a Tokyo-born linguist, specializing in the early history of the Japanese language. He graduated from the University of Tokyo in 1943, where he studied under Shinkichi Hashimoto. He was professor emeritus at Gakushuin University. Career Ō ...

, to become a familiar public intellectual, appearing often on radio and television to discuss linguistic issues.

Awards

Medals of Honor (Japan) are medals awarded by the Government of Japan. They are awarded to individuals who have done meritorious deeds and also to those who have achieved excellence in their field of work. The Medals of Honor were established on December 7, 1881, and we ...

(1977) *

, 3rd class (1986) *

Person of Cultural Merit is an official Japanese recognition and honor which is awarded annually to select people who have made outstanding cultural contributions. This distinction is intended to play a role as a part of a system of support measures for the promotion of ...

(1997) *

Order of the Sacred Treasure The is a Japanese order, established on 4 January 1888 by Emperor Meiji as the Order of Meiji. Originally awarded in eight classes (from 8th to 1st, in ascending order of importance), since 2003 it has been awarded in six classes, the lowest ...

, 2nd class (2004)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kindaichi, Haruhiko Linguists from Japan 1913 births 2004 deaths Recipients of the Medal with Purple Ribbon Recipients of the Order of the Rising Sun, 3rd class Recipients of the Order of the Sacred Treasure, 2nd class Sophia University faculty Nagoya University faculty University of Tokyo faculty University of Tokyo alumni Japanese lexicographers People from Bunkyō 20th-century linguists Linguists of Japanese 20th-century lexicographers