Shasekishu - Shasekishu

A collection of Buddhist tales from the Kamakura period. Also read as "Sasekishu." 10 volumes. Written by Muju. Completed in 1283 (Kōan 6). It uses tales as a means to guide the reader to a correct understanding of Buddhism. Since the first draft was completed, the work has been revised several times, so the contents differ slightly between the various versions, but it generally contains tales typical of Buddhist tales, such as tales of honji suijaku (the attainment of divine powers), tales of the miraculous powers of the Buddhas, tales of karma, and tales of rebirth in a secluded world. Among these, there are also humorous and erotic tales, and at times, perhaps because the tales became too interesting beyond the author's intention, the tales seem to have gradually changed through revision into a collection of tales centered on serious stories. The greatest significance and appeal of this collection lies in the fact that it contains gossip that reflects the lives and feelings of the local people of the same period (especially in the eastern part of Japan), as well as humorous stories that were later seen as the source of hanashibon (traditional Japanese storybooks).

[Takayuki Kojima]

"Japanese Classical Literature Series 85: Shasekishu (1966, Iwanami Shoten)" edited by Watanabe Tsunaya

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

鎌倉時代の仏教説話集。「させきしゅう」とも読む。10巻。無住(むじゅう)の著。1283年（弘安6）成立。説話を方便として読者を正しい仏教理解へ導こうとするもの。初稿本成立後も数次にわたって添削を加えているため、諸本により内容に若干の差があるが、おおむね、本地垂迹(ほんじすいじゃく)説話、諸仏霊験説話、因果応報説話、遁世(とんせい)往生説話など仏教説話集らしい説話を集めている。それらの間に、滑稽譚(こっけいたん)や艶笑譚(えんしょうたん)などが混在し、ときとして、著者の意図を超えておもしろくなりすぎたためか、添削を経てしだいに堅苦しい話中心の説話集へと変質していった趣(おもむき)がある。同時代の地方（とりわけ東国）の民衆の生活や心情を反映した世間話や、後世、噺本(はなしぼん)の源流のようにもみられた笑話を収録している点に、最大の意義と魅力があるといえる。

［小島孝之］

『渡辺綱也校注『日本古典文学大系85　沙石集』（1966・岩波書店）』

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