Japanese Braille

Japanese Braille (Nihon Shuwa) is the tactile writing system used by the visually impaired in Japan. It is a variation of the original Braille system, invented by Louis Braille in France, adapted to fit the Japanese language. Japanese Braille represents both the Japanese syllabary, including kana (both hiragana and katakana), and kanji through a system of tactile characters. This adaptation allows for the efficient reading and writing of Japanese by those who are blind or have severe visual impairments.

History

Japanese Braille was developed in the early 20th century by a Japanese educator of the blind, Kyoto Hakushi. He modified the original Braille system to accommodate the phonetic and complex script nature of the Japanese language. Since its inception, Japanese Braille has undergone several revisions to improve its usability and to better serve the needs of the visually impaired community in Japan.

Structure

Japanese Braille is structured around the syllabary nature of the Japanese language, with each Braille cell representing a syllable or a specific function. The system is divided into several categories:

• Kana Braille: Represents the hiragana and katakana syllabaries. Each kana character corresponds to a unique Braille cell.
• Kanji Braille: Due to the vast number of kanji characters, kanji are typically spelled out using kana Braille. However, some common kanji have their own Braille representations.
• Punctuation and Special Symbols: Japanese Braille includes symbols for common punctuation marks and special symbols used in the Japanese writing system.
• Numerals: Uses the same Braille numerals as in other languages, with specific markers to denote that the numerals are being used.

Learning and Usage

Learning Japanese Braille can be challenging due to the complexity of the Japanese language. However, it is taught in schools for the blind and in various educational programs throughout Japan. Japanese Braille is used in a wide range of materials, including books, magazines, and signage, to ensure accessibility for the visually impaired.

Technology and Japanese Braille

Advancements in technology have significantly improved access to Japanese Braille. Software and devices, such as Braille displays and printers, allow for the conversion of text to Braille and vice versa. These technologies have made it easier for individuals who use Japanese Braille to access information and communicate in both personal and professional settings.

Challenges and Developments

Despite the advancements, there are ongoing challenges in the standardization and teaching of Japanese Braille. Efforts are being made to address these challenges, including the development of new teaching methods and technology solutions to improve Braille literacy and accessibility.

See Also

• Braille
• Visual impairment
• Accessibility

External Links

• [Japan Braille Library (in Japanese)](http://www.nipponbllindlib.jp/)
• [World Braille Usage (PDF)](https://www.perkins.org/resource/world-braille-usage/)