Wasan - Wasan

A Buddhist hymn that uses Japanese words to praise the teachings and deeds of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Buddhist masters. It is the opposite of Sanskrit (word) hymn and Chinese (word) hymn. It is in 7-5 rhythm and has four or more lines per poem. It is composed to a melody for Buddhist ceremonies and teachings, and generally became popular during the Heian period. Wasan played a major role in the spread of Buddhism in Japan and in helping the masses understand the teachings. An excerpt from the Fuso Ryakki contains Gyoki's praise of Buddhism, which gives an understanding of the function of wasan.

Among the old Japanese hymns are "Hokke Santan," said to have been written by Gyoki, "Hyakukoku Santan," said to have been written by Empress Komyo, and "Shari Santan," said to have been written by Ennin, but the authenticity of these is unknown. Later, "Mida San" by Senkan, "Hongaku San" by Ryogen, and "Gokuraku Rokuji San" by Genshin were written, and from the Kamakura period onwards, a great many Japanese hymns were written and circulated, including those that assumed the names of their composers. Among them, the three famous ones are "Sanjo Wasan" and "Taishi Wasan" by Shinran, who wrote Jodo, Koso, and Shozomatsu, and "Bekkagan Wasan" by Ippen. Wasan does not only have religious significance, but is also closely related to Imayo, and is important in the history of literature.

[Kitanishi Hiroshi]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

仏・菩薩(ぼさつ)・祖師の教法、行実を、和語で讃嘆した仏教の讃歌。梵(ぼん)（語）讃、漢（語）讃に対することば。七五調で、四句ないしそれ以上を一首とする。法会(ほうえ)や教化(きょうげ)にあたって、曲調をつけて詠じ、一般的には平安時代から流行した。日本における仏教の普及、大衆の教法理解に、和讃は大きな役割を果たした。『扶桑略記(ふそうりゃっき)』抜粋に、行基(ぎょうき)の仏法讃嘆を記しているが、それによって和讃の機能が理解できる。

　古い和讃として、行基作と伝える『法華讃歎(ほっけさんたん)』、光明(こうみょう)皇后作と伝える『百石讃歎』、円仁(えんにん)作と伝える『舎利(しゃり)讃歎』があるが、真偽のほどはわからない。その後、千観(せんかん)の『弥陀(みだ)和讃』、良源(りょうげん)の『本覚讃』、源信(げんしん)の『極楽(ごくらく)六時讃』がつくられ、鎌倉時代以降、撰者(せんじゃ)名を仮託した和讃をも含めると、実に多くの和讃がつくられ流布した。そのうち、親鸞(しんらん)作の浄土・高僧・正像末(しょうぞうまつ)の『三帖(さんじょう)和讃』と『太子和讃』、一遍(いっぺん)作の『別願和讃』は有名。和讃は宗教的な意味だけでなく、今様(いまよう)との関係も深く、文学史上重要な内容をもつ。

［北西　弘］

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