解題

• Reading: かいだい
• Romaji: kaidai
• Kanji breakdown: 解 (kai/to) — explain, untie; 題 (dai) — title, topic
• Pronunciation: /kai.dai/

Meaning

Bibliographic introduction; explanatory annotation accompanying a published work, explaining its background, significance, and editorial history.

A scholarly noun for the prefatory or appendix notes that explain the textual history, significance, or editorial choices of a work. Commonly found in critical editions, annotated anthologies, and academic publications. Functionally similar to an editorial preface or scholarly apparatus.

Examples

1. 文庫本の巻末に詳細な解題が付いている。 There is a detailed bibliographic introduction at the end of the paperback.
2. 編者による解題を読んで、この作品の成立経緯を理解した。 After reading the editor's bibliographic introduction, I understood the background of how this work came about.
3. この全集には各巻に丁寧な解題が添えられている。 Each volume in this complete collection is accompanied by a thorough bibliographic introduction.

Usage Guide

Context: academic publishing, literary criticism, bibliography

Tone: scholarly

Origin & History

From 解 (to explain, to untie) and 題 (title, topic, subject). Together they denote the explanation or elucidation of a work's subject and context.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Scholarly