古文書(こもんじょ)

こもんじょ
noun
ancient document; historical record
1. ancient document; historical document; old manuscript
Official or private documents from past eras, preserved as historical records. Includes letters, decrees, contracts, and other written materials from pre-modern Japan.
古文書(こもんじょ)を解読(かいどく)する。
To decipher an ancient document.
蔵(くら)の中(なか)から貴重(きちょう)な古文書(こもんじょ)が見(み)つかった。
A valuable ancient document was found inside the storehouse.
大学(だいがく)の研究室(けんきゅうしつ)で室町(むろまち)時代(じだい)の古文書(こもんじょ)を調(しら)べている。
I'm examining Muromachi-period documents in a university research lab.

古文書(こもんじょ) refers to official or private documents from past eras, preserved as historical records. Includes letters, decrees, contracts, and other written materials from pre-modern Japan.

READING:
The standard reading is こもんじょ. The alternative reading こぶんしょ exists but refers more broadly to old writings or classical texts in general.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 古文書(こもんじょ)を解読(かいどく)する: to decipher ancient documents
  • 古文書(こもんじょ)学(がく): paleography, study of ancient documents
  • 古文書(こもんじょ)の調査(ちょうさ): survey of historical documents
  • 古文書(こもんじょ)を保存(ほぞん)する: to preserve historical documents

RELATED TERMS:

  • 古典(こてん): classics, classical literature
  • 文献(ぶんけん): written source, reference document
  • 史料(しりょう): historical source material

USAGE:
Primarily an academic term used in history, archival science, and museum contexts. Reading 古文書(こもんじょ) requires specialized training in 崩(くず)し字(じ) (cursive script) since pre-modern documents use different writing conventions.

general
Added 2026.3.8 21:24 · Revised 2026.3.29 18:23
15500/15839_komonjo