写本(しゃほん)

しゃほん
noun
manuscript; handwritten copy
arthistory
1. manuscript; handwritten copy
A book or document that has been copied by hand, especially before the invention of printing. An important concept in the study of classical literature, historical documents, and religious texts.
貴重(きちょう)な写本(しゃほん)が発見(はっけん)された。
A valuable manuscript was discovered.
源氏物語(げんじものがたり)には多(おお)くの写本(しゃほん)が伝(つた)わっている。
Many manuscript copies of The Tale of Genji have been passed down.
写本(しゃほん)ごとに異(こと)なる字句(じく)があり、どれが原文(げんぶん)に近(ちか)いか研究(けんきゅう)されている。
Each manuscript has different wording, and scholars are studying which is closest to the original text.

An important term in Japanese literary studies and history. Before printing technology spread in Japan, all books were hand-copied, and the study of manuscript variations is a major field in classical literature research. The 源氏物語(げんじものがたり) alone has dozens of distinct manuscript lineages.

Common collocations

  • 写本(しゃほん)を書写(しょしゃ)する: to copy a manuscript by hand
  • 写本(しゃほん)の伝来(でんらい): the transmission of manuscripts
  • 写本(しゃほん)の異同(いどう): textual variants between manuscripts
  • 古写本(こしゃほん): old manuscript

Related words

  • 原本(げんぽん): the original text or document
  • 版本(はんぽん): printed book — made from woodblocks or movable type
  • 古文書(こもんじょ): historical document — broader term for old documents
  • 書写(しょしゃ): copying by hand, transcription

Related Words

Related: 原本(げんぽん) (the original text or document)
Related: 古文書(こもんじょ) (historical document)
general
Added 2026.3.31 7:24 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
20500/20963_shahon