Rōmaji or Rōmazi
Edwin O. Reischauer
Harvard University
In the pages of this journal, Mr. Carr has brought up the vexatious problem of Japanese Romanization (Rōmaji), arguing that “there is every reason, scientific and practical, for going over to the Kokutei” Romanization and urging that “discussion regarding its adoption be opened at the first opportunity.”[1]
In 1885, a group of interested Japanese scholars, with the aid of Hepburn, a distinguished American missionary, and other foreigners, devised a system of Romanization for the Japanese language, which was adopted and still is used by the Nihon Rōmaji Hirome Kai (Japanese Society for the Propagation of Rōmaji). In time this system came to be known by Hepburn’s name, although it would be more fitting to call it simply the Old Romanization.[1a] In 1886 a movement was started by some natural scientists and other Japanese scholars for the reform of this system. The result was Nipponshiki (Japanese style) Rōmaji, or, according to the Romanization of this system, Nipponsiki Rōmazi. In 1937, a cabinet decree adopted for government use a system called Kokutei (Official) Rōmazi, which conforms to Nipponsiki in most of the important points of dispute between it and the earlier system.
The following chart of the differences between the three systems of Romanization will help to clarify the problem for those not familiar with the various Romanization systems or with Japanese phonetics.
- ↑ JAOS 59 (1939). 99-102.
[1a] The committee which evolved this system was composed of four Japanese, Toyama Masakazu 外山正一, Terao Hisashi 寺尾壽, Kanda Naibu 神田乃武, and Yatabe Ryōkichi 矢田部良吉, and of two foreigners, Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Eby. Dr. Hepburn and a Herr Techow were merely invited to assist the group. See A Short Statement of the Aim and Method of the Rōmaji Kai, Tōkyō 1885, p. 4-6.
