1.
strange tale; unusual story; curious report
A story about something strange or extraordinary, especially supernatural or mysterious events.
各地の異聞を集めた。
I collected strange tales from various regions.
この村には古くから伝わる異聞が多い。
This village has many strange tales passed down from old times.
妖怪異聞をテーマにした小説を読んだ。
I read a novel themed around tales of yōkai.
2.
variant account; alternative version
A different version or differing account of a known story or historical event.
この歴史には異聞がある。
There is a variant account of this history.
正史とは異なる異聞が残されている。
An alternative account differing from the official history has been preserved.
本能寺の変にまつわる異聞は数多く存在する。
Numerous variant accounts exist regarding the Incident at Honnōji.
FORMATION:
異 (different, strange) + 聞 (hearing, report).
USAGE:
A literary word often found in book titles, folklore collections, and historical writing. Sense 1 emphasizes the strangeness of the story, while sense 2 emphasizes that the account differs from the standard version. Frequently appears in titles of games, manga, and novels (e.g., 〇〇異聞).
RELATED:
- 怪談 (ghost story, horror tale)
- 奇談 (strange or curious tale)
- 伝説 (legend)