2018 Volume 14 Issue 2 Pages 84-100
Punctuation marks based on syntactic structures have been used in writings in Japan since the Meiji Restoration (1868). Before the Meiji era, a single type of mark or no marks at all were common. Under the influence of punctuation marks in the Western writings, different marks were gradually used based on syntactic structure; for example, “。” for the end of a sentence or “、” for the end of a phrase or a clause.
In elementary education, syntax-based punctuation marks were used in reading textbooks, and later used in composition textbooks. Moreover, usage of punctuation marks was taught in composition class during the late Meiji era (1907-1912). It was stimulated by the publication of Prospectus for Edit of Government-Designated Textbook (Kokuteitokuhonhensan-Shu'isho) in 1904 and announcement of The Bill of Usage of Punctuation Marks in Government-Designated Textbook (Kutōhō'an) in 1906.
In students’ compositions, punctuation marks were seldom used or only one type was used in 1897–1906 (Meiji 30–40). On the other hand, punctuation marks based on syntactic structure were used in 1907–1912 (Meiji 40–45). These marks were put while writing rather than after writing letters. The punctuation system based on syntactic structures gained a foothold in the Taisho era (1912-1926).
