Alternate Names: Shuwa, Temane
Dialects: None known. Related to Taiwanese , and Korean , sign languages.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 317,000 (Van Cleve 1986).
Language Use: Over 95% of the deaf understand Japanese Sign Language. 107 deaf schools. The first school opened in Kyoto in 1878.
Language Development: TV.
Nation of Origin: Japan
Other Comments: ‘Temane’ is the former name. Pidgin Signed Japanese is distinct, and used often in formal situations, lectures, speeches, and for interaction with hearing people. 80% of the deaf understand finger spelling.