書誌

• Reading: しょし
• Romaji: shoshi
• Kanji breakdown: 書 (sho) — book, writing; 誌 (shi) — record, account
• Pronunciation: /ɕo.ɕi/

Meaning

Bibliography; a systematic list of books, articles, and sources related to a subject or author.

In academic contexts, 書誌 refers both to a bibliography appended to a scholarly work and to the field of 書誌学 (bibliography as a discipline), which studies the history, physical description, and classification of books. Essential for textual criticism and research into classical Japanese literature.

Examples

1. 論文の末尾には詳細な書誌が記載されており、参照文献を追うことができる。 A detailed bibliography is provided at the end of the paper, allowing one to trace the references cited.
2. この書誌には江戸時代に刊行されたすべての俳書が網羅されている。 This bibliography covers all haiku publications issued during the Edo period.
3. 書誌学の専門家が、希少本の来歴と版次を丹念に調査した。 A bibliographic specialist meticulously investigated the provenance and editions of the rare book.

Usage Guide

Context: bibliography, academic research, publishing

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 書 (sho, book/writing) and 誌 (shi, record/account). Corresponds to the Western concept of 'bibliography.' 書誌学 as a formal discipline in Japan developed through engagement with Western philological and bibliographical methods in the Meiji era.

Cultural Context

Era: Premodern–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Scholars