The Objects and Causes of Kawaii Emotions

- Analysis of Ancient Language Dictionaries -

Abstract

This study discusses the results of a literature survey and cross-tabulation analysis of the objects of kawaii emotions and causes of kawaii emotions. From ancient language dictionaries, historically, kawaii could be said to be mainly used to refer to one’s relatives and gradually to non-relative children, romantic partners, and artificial objects. Based on the descriptions from various ancient language dictionaries, this study presents four causes of kawaii emotions: the morphology of the object, its behaviors and facial expressions, relationship between human and it, and its perceived personality. The primary causes of kawaii emotions toward relatives and romantic partners are the relationship with the object and its personality, and the causes toward non-relative children are the morphology of the object, its behavior and facial expressions, and its personality, and the causes toward artificial objects are the morphology of the object, its behavior and facial expressions, and the relationship.