99991
I'm transcribing a song with Japanese lyrics as sheet music but am unsure how
to approach using kanji.

Here's an example:

![](https://i.stack.imgur.com/X3ujq.png)

Currently, I front-load the kanji on the first note so that it is immediately
obvious what word is being said. The downside is that it doesn't really
provide any useful information about how the syllables should be sung, so I
have to rely on furigana.

Ideally, I would like to space out the kanji to align with the notes. However,
I am hesitant because I am unsure if that would make it more confusing to
read. For instance, in the above example, I fear that separating 空 and 想 could
lead to a misreading of 空.

I've also considered not using kanji at all and only using kana. I've seen
some sheet music that does this.

I am wondering what the best approach to this is. Are my worries warranted, or
do you think the furigana is enough? Is there already some standard for
notating lyrics that I can follow?
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-06-17T03:58:05.820
99978
2023-06-18T16:04:57.120
56803
question
kanji song-lyrics transcription
What is the proper way to notate Japanese lyrics in sheet music?
Generally, kana are placed below the musical notes, and lyrics with kanji are
placed separately if necessary
([example](http://ototama.com/music/folksong/score.php?id=136)). Putting both
kanji and hiragana, as you suggest, may be one possible solution, but it is
not a common practice.

Actually, 空想 is a least problematic example; each kanji has only one
consonant, and it's unlikely to misread it even if there's some space, or even
a line break, between 空 and 想. But there are many problematic kanji words,
especially _jukujikun_ words such as [明日
(あした)](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/q/83385/5010). Ideographic
characters are basically not really suitable for your purpose.
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-06-18T16:04:57.120
99991
2023-06-18T16:04:57.120
5010
99978
answer