This research project is to conduct and compare Chinese characters of Japan, China and Korea through making database with multi-functional integrated search system for professional users, and which is based on a certain platforms with diverse features ...
This research project is to conduct and compare Chinese characters of Japan, China and Korea through making database with multi-functional integrated search system for professional users, and which is based on a certain platforms with diverse features, the leading targets of the subject are representative Chinese character dictionaries like The Tenrei banshō meigi(篆隸萬象名義, 835) by monk Kūkai, Shinsen Jikyō(新撰字鏡, 898~901) by monk Shōjū in Japan and important Chinese character dictionaries like Hunmongjahoe(訓蒙字會, 1796), Jeonunokpyeon(全韻玉篇, 1796) by Choe, Sejin(崔世珍), Gyojeongjeonunokpyeon(校訂全韻玉篇, 1913) by Ji, Songuk(池松旭), Jaryujuseok(字類註釋, 1856) by Jeong, Yunyong(鄭允容), Jajeonseokyo(字典釋要, 1909) by Ji, Seokyeong(池錫永) and Sinjajeon(新字典, 1915) by ChoSeonGwangMunHoe(朝鮮光文會) published in Korea, and some significant works like Shuowenjiezi(說文解字, 100) by XuShen(許愼), Yupian(玉篇, 543) by Gu, YeWang(顧野王), Kangxizidian(康熙字典, 1716) by ChenTingJing(陳廷敬)·ZhangYuShu(張玉書) published in China.
This study was classifying and communing with various editions of materials, summarizing data of Chinese characters and variant Chinese characters. Based on these process, which is depending on the exact scientific statistics, research team constructed database including translation, reading pronunciation, radical of each 177,240 letters.
With the construction of a database over this subject, quite a lot of research papers have been published dealing with homography(同字), popular character(俗字), allograph, variant, alternate way of writing(異體字) in the Jajeonseokyo, Shinsen Jikyō, Sinjajeon, furthermore, professional research books had also been published in China like Jeonunokpyeon(全韻玉篇), Jaryujuseok(字類註釋) and so on, to become an opportunity to inform the study of Chinese and the study of Chinese character dictionary in Korea, which has far more deeper level in themselves. It was possible due to the building of database about Chinese characters. Especially, inputting the vast amount of text data that contains information of Kangxizidian(康熙字典) was tough process nevertheless outcome was successful.
Kangxizidian(康熙字典) has had a very great influence on the Chinese character dictionary in Korea, soon after then they had been widely disseminated toward both Japan and Korea, however, depending on the environment and culture of the country, there were significant differences with imported letters and the meanings between both of the countries. These results and research success are also published by the database operation, besides this study was possible in the basis of the synchronic, diachronic study method comparing various materials.
Thus, constructing and utilizing database of various materials like dictionaries of importance not just in Korea but in China and Japan altogether made it possible to proceed peripheral perspectives into de-boundary recognitions. A comparative study of the countries in the so called Chinese-character-based cultures, will certainly disclose the process of development and changes as well as current state of usage of Chinese characters, therefore provide with macroscopic view of historical, cultural archives as propagation of cultures and interactions using Chinese characters. In addition, it will be available to make profound and growing study like an interdisciplinary study and amalgamative research with linguistics, Korean literature, history and cultural studies.