Oldest example of Japanese hiragana writing unearthed in Kyoto

A survey of the remains of the residence of a 9th century nobleman in Kyoto has revealed fragments of earthenware vessels that bear the markings of what is believed to be the oldest examples of hiragana characters in Japan.

Sherds of pottery with some of the oldest hiragana characters [Credit: Masanori Takahashi]

The artifacts were found after a survey of the residence of a certain Fujiwara Yoshimi who lived around 813-67 in Kyoto on which campus facilities for the Bukkyo University were planned to be built. Unearthed from the remains of a pond were 90 pieces of earthenware believed to be from the mid-ninth century with characters written in ink, with 20 pieces containing hiragana characters. 

Also found in the remains of a well in the area were mokkan, or fragments from wooden tables, as well as folding fans made from cypress. This is a valuable find, according to the Kyoto City Archaeological Institute, as it fills in gaps in the history of the development of hiragana. Ryohei Nishiyama, a Kyoto University professor specializing in ancient Japanese history, says that the artifacts, aside from being the oldest hiragana material, also contains literary references and advanced unbroken strokes.

Research has held that hiragana was perfected around the ninth century, but samples have so far been few, making this latest discovery important. Although the ink on the fragments have been well-preserved, making it easy to distinguish the brushstrokes, the simplified style of the characters differed from modern-day hiragana making some of the text indecipherable. 

Author: Ida Torres | Source: The Japan Daily Press [November 30, 2012]