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 An important concept in the study of classical literature, historical documents, and religious texts.
貴重な写本が発見された。
A valuable manuscript was discovered.
源氏物語には多くの写本が伝わっている。
Many manuscript copies of The Tale of Genji have been passed down.
写本ごとに異なる字句があり、どれが原文に近いか研究されている。
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 alone has dozens of distinct manuscript lineages.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 写本を書写する: to copy a manuscript by hand
- 写本の伝来: the transmission of manuscripts
- 写本の異同: textual variants between manuscripts
- 古写本: old manuscript
RELATED TERMS:
- 原本: the original text or document
- 版本: printed book — made from woodblocks or movable type
- 古文書: historical document — broader term for old documents
- 書写: copying by hand, transcription