Representation of the Concept of “Ki” in the Japanese Language

Abstract

The concept of “ki” (気), denoting energy, air, breath, pneuma, spirit and much more, is one of the fundamental and most distinctive categories of Chinese and, more broadly, Far Eastern philosophical thought. In Japan, the adoption of this concept began with the penetration of Chinese religious and philosophical thought. The article analyzes the meanings of the lexeme “ki” / 気 as it appears in Japanese lexical units and idioms. Set expressions are divided into six groups according to the meanings they convey. A large number of idioms are identified that reflect human feelings and emotions, as well as the perception of reality. The article also examines the growing role of the concept of “ki” in military affairs and martial arts. Based on Issai Chozan’s 1729 treatise “Tengu’s Discourses on the Art [of the Sword]”, the study shows that the state and fullness of “ki” directly influence changes occurring not only in the human body but also in the heart, mind and soul, and therefore in the psycho-emotional state. The article concludes that the idea of a primordial energy permeating and shaping the surrounding world is found in different layers of vocabulary. Idioms, as one of the most stable parts of language and culture, clearly demonstrate the preservation of the original meanings of the Chinese concept qi, which was borrowed and adapted by the Japanese tradition. The material for interpreting and representing the concept of “ki” consists primarily of phraseological units, set expressions and individual lexical items that verbalize basic concepts of national tradition and reflect the worldview of Japanese culture.