Abstract
Old Japanese was written exclusively in Chinese characters, and a method to use both their logographic and phonographic functions were already being explored, which would lead to the mixed kanji–kana system in the later periods. In the study of Old Japanese, man'yōgana spellings such as “於保岐美” have been considered vital for accurately reconstructing word forms and have often served as a foundation for research. However, placing excessive emphasis on reconstructions derived from kana inevitably assumes that the syllabic values represented by kana are absolute. In reality, writing systems are never intended to replicate spoken language with perfect fidelity. This becomes clear when considering kun-gana, which was used alongside on-gana and kanji in its logographic function, thus reflecting the complexities of Old Japanese writing practices. In studying ancient texts, researchers have endeavored to obtain phonetic evidence conveyed by written symbols and reconstruct word forms accordingly. However, confining the analysis to a limited set of textual examples and applying purely statistical methods can result in circular reasoning. This paper examines these issues and potential strategies for resolving them, as well as the broader challenges and future prospects for studies on Japanese scripts and writing systems, including the later periods when scripts beyond kanji came into use.
https://ror.org/05kzadn81 
