wasan
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Wasan (和讃) are a type of Japanese Buddhist hymn composed in native Japanese language (wago).{{sfnm|1a1=Kitanishi|1y=2001}} The word is meant to distinguish Japanese hymns from those composed in Sanskrit (bonsan 梵讃) or Chinese (kansan 漢讃).{{sfnm|1a1=Kitanishi|1y=2001}} These works sing of the teachings and deeds of buddhas, bodhisattvas and {{illm|Soshi (founder)|lt=soshi|ja|開祖}} (the founders of schools of monks).{{sfnm|1a1=Kitanishi|1y=2001|2a1=MyPaedia|2y=2015}} They are composed in verses of alternating seven and five syllables, with each hymn consisting of four or more such verses.{{sfnm|1a1=Kitanishi|1y=2001|2a1=MyPaedia|2y=2015}} They were composed from the addition of a melody to a Buddhist service (法会 hōe) or teaching (教化 kyōke),{{sfnm|1a1=Kitanishi|1y=2001}} and became popular starting in the Heian period.{{sfnm|1a1=Kitanishi|1y=2001|2a1=MyPaedia|2y=2015}} These hymns in colloquial Japanese played an important part in the spread of Buddhism throughout Japan and among the members of the lower classes.{{sfnm|1a1=Kitanishi|1y=2001}} The Fusō Ryakki includes a hymn composed by Gyōki extolling the virtues of the Buddhist dharma, which is a valuable tool for understanding the function of wasan.{{sfnm|1a1=Kitanishi|1y=2001}} Wasan fell out of popularity during the Edo period.{{sfnm|1a1=MyPaedia|1y=2015}}
See also
References
= Citations =
{{reflist|colwidth=40em}}
= Works cited =
{{Refbegin|colwidth=80em}}
- {{cite encyclopedia
|encyclopedia = Encyclopedia Nipponica
|last1 = Kitanishi
|first1 = Hiromu
|author-link1 = Hiromu Kitanishi
|title = Wasan
|script-title = ja:和讃
|language = japanese
|year = 2001
|publisher = Shogakukan
|url = https://kotobank.jp/word/和讃-154037#E6.97.A5.E6.9C.AC.E5.A4.A7.E7.99.BE.E7.A7.91.E5.85.A8.E6.9B.B8.28.E3.83.8B.E3.83.83.E3.83.9D.E3.83.8B.E3.82.AB.29
|access-date = 2018-12-30
}}
- {{cite encyclopedia
|encyclopedia = MyPaedia
|title = Wasan
|script-title = ja:和讃
|language = japanese
|year = 2015
|publisher = Heibonsha
|url = https://kotobank.jp/word/和讃-154037#E7.99.BE.E7.A7.91.E4.BA.8B.E5.85.B8.E3.83.9E.E3.82.A4.E3.83.9A.E3.83.87.E3.82.A3.E3.82.A2
|access-date = 2018-12-30
|ref = {{SfnRef|MyPaedia|2015}}
}}
{{Refend}}
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