are one of the different readings of Japanese kanji. They're old pronunciations of Chinese characters, believed to be taken from China to Japan prior to the importation (by the Kenzuishi envoy to the Sui dynasty and monks studying abroad) of readings from Chang'an during the Nara period. Like kan-on readings, they're said to display the characteristics of Middle Chinese. Introduced to Japan during the 5th and 6th centuries, when China was divided into separate Northern and Southern Dynasties, i… (More on Go-on)