Hiragana

(noun)

A Japanese syllabary originating from 800 CE, one component of the Japanese writing system, along with katakana, kanji, and in some cases rōmaji (the Latin-script alphabet). 

Related Terms

Examples of Hiragana in the following topics:

  • Japanese Calligraphy in the Kamakura Period

    • For many years, the most esteemed calligrapher in Japan had been Wang Xizhi, a Chinese calligrapher in the 4th century; however, after the invention of Hiragana and Katakana, the Japanese unique syllabaries, a distinctive Japanese writing system developed, and calligraphers produced styles intrinsic to Japan.