Intuitively we know that when using language, we construct sentences by combining various units of linguistic signs, such as words, phrases and clauses. Although thoughts are usually expressed in sentence units, we rarely use the sentence in isolation. Rather, most linguistic expressions we experience consist of multiple sentences. Multiple sentences, when written, are often grouped together to form meaningful paragraphs, paragraphs to form chapters, and so on. We call this semantically connected unit of linguistic expression a “discourse” or “bunshoo.” I will also use the term “text” to refer to discourse, but with an emphasis on actual written pieces of discourse.

How are multiple sentences, a segment of discourse, connected to convey meaning? A random string of sentences lacks cohesion and is con – sequently meaningless. When reading, we expect thoughts to be organized and arranged in cohesive units. But how are these units organized in Japanese texts? Are the Japanese ways of understanding and expressing discourse organization and connection identical, similar to or different from those of English? If we define discourse and bunshoo as “connected units of linguistic expression,” how are these units actually connected? What strategies are used to signal such connection in Japanese?

In traditional Japanese language studies, the term bunshoo has been used synonymously with the term discourse. A number of Japanese scholars in bunshooron, studies of bunshoo, have gained knowledge that we will be relying upon in this book (Tokieda 1977, Ichikawa 1981, Nagano 1986, Hinata and Hibiya 1988, Nagara and Chino 1989, Kaneoka 1989, Kubota 1990, Nishida 1992, and so on).