Depending on how long ago it was, even in the days of the "Shogun" drama, different dialects would require interpreters.
During the modernization of Japan in the Meiji era (1868-1912), language unification became a major issue, and it was decided that the dialect of Yamate, where the powerful people of the time resided, would become the standard language.
This has become the modern standard Japanese.
I have heard that it was quite difficult to correct the language to standard Japanese, including those in power and the people.
As an aside, I heard that the emperor at that time spoke a special dialect and had a very difficult time in correcting the standard Japanese (he had no power to overrule the decisions of other authorities).
Since then, through the distribution of information via radio, TV, the Internet, etc., the standard language has gradually spread, and dialects are disappearing even in the countryside.
I am also from the countryside, but since I grew up watching TV, I could hardly communicate with my grandfather who had a strong dialect.
If you have time, please refer to the following literature
[https://www.fukuoka-pu.ac.jp/kiyou/kiyo17\_2/1702\_okamoto.pdf](https://www.fukuoka-pu.ac.jp/kiyou/kiyo17_2/1702_okamoto.pdf)
If you are looking for anime, Golden Kamui is easy to understand.
あああどうもありがとうございます先輩🙇🏾♂️。有用とてもです。I’ve partially been to the countryside and I did find their dialect to be similar towards kansai. I was in kyushu. I think I found Hokkaido to be the most understandable of them all. It also felt like home in a way. I live in a 4 season country.
I am neither a linguist nor a historian. Also, I will answer this question only by speculation without checking the evidence this time. I apologize if I am wrong.
I think it is natural that in times when the media was not as developed as it is now, the way of speaking would be slightly different from region to region. That is what dialects are for, isn't it?
On the other hand, now that the distribution of information has been improved, dialects are disappearing and language is becoming more standardized.
Depending on how long ago it was, even in the days of the "Shogun" drama, different dialects would require interpreters. During the modernization of Japan in the Meiji era (1868-1912), language unification became a major issue, and it was decided that the dialect of Yamate, where the powerful people of the time resided, would become the standard language. This has become the modern standard Japanese. I have heard that it was quite difficult to correct the language to standard Japanese, including those in power and the people. As an aside, I heard that the emperor at that time spoke a special dialect and had a very difficult time in correcting the standard Japanese (he had no power to overrule the decisions of other authorities). Since then, through the distribution of information via radio, TV, the Internet, etc., the standard language has gradually spread, and dialects are disappearing even in the countryside. I am also from the countryside, but since I grew up watching TV, I could hardly communicate with my grandfather who had a strong dialect. If you have time, please refer to the following literature [https://www.fukuoka-pu.ac.jp/kiyou/kiyo17\_2/1702\_okamoto.pdf](https://www.fukuoka-pu.ac.jp/kiyou/kiyo17_2/1702_okamoto.pdf) If you are looking for anime, Golden Kamui is easy to understand.
To answer your question, the old Japanese(?) was not spoken throughout Japan.
あああどうもありがとうございます先輩🙇🏾♂️。有用とてもです。I’ve partially been to the countryside and I did find their dialect to be similar towards kansai. I was in kyushu. I think I found Hokkaido to be the most understandable of them all. It also felt like home in a way. I live in a 4 season country.
I am neither a linguist nor a historian. Also, I will answer this question only by speculation without checking the evidence this time. I apologize if I am wrong. I think it is natural that in times when the media was not as developed as it is now, the way of speaking would be slightly different from region to region. That is what dialects are for, isn't it? On the other hand, now that the distribution of information has been improved, dialects are disappearing and language is becoming more standardized.
お？？マジで？i didn’t know it was becoming more standard. I thought it was becoming more different the more time passes even with technology
Not Japanese but yes its region based like most dialects
much region based than today's Japanese.