踏襲

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 踏襲 (とうしゅう) is an action noun for carrying forward an earlier method, precedent, or tradition.
• Basic usage: 進行方法を踏襲した reports following last year’s procedure unchanged, while 伝統を踏襲しながら combines carrying on tradition with adding new elements.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Following precedent while allowing addition
  • そのまま踏襲した emphasizes no change, whereas 踏襲しながら新しい要素も加えた allows continuity alongside addition. 踏襲 need not always mean total duplication.