See Also: Japanese writing system(encyclopedia)
Chinese writing system(encyclopedia)
Japanese Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (Jasdaq)(finance)
Japanese Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (Jasdaq)(money)
writing(encyclopedia)
writing(dictionary)
writing(2)(dictionary)
Writing(medicine)
WRITING(law)
writing(1)(dictionary)

Japanese writing system (sh)




System of modified Chinese characters used for writing the Japanese language.

The Japanese developed a mixed system, partly logographic (based on the Chinese writing system) and partly syllabic. In the 9th or 10th century two sets of syllabic signs evolved: hiragana, simplified cursive versions of Chinese characters; and katakana, based on elements of Chinese characters. Modern Japanese is written with the two syllabaries and Chinese characters.