漢詩

• Reading: かんし
• Romaji: kanshi
• Kanji breakdown: 漢 (kan) — Chinese, Han; 詩 (shi/uta) — poetry, verse
• Pronunciation: /kan.ɕi/

Meaning

Chinese poetry; classical verse composed in the Chinese language and poetic tradition, especially that composed in Japan during the Nara and Heian periods.

A noun referring both to poetry written in classical Chinese (often by Japanese scholars and courtiers) and to the Chinese poetic tradition itself. During the Nara period, 漢詩 was the dominant literary form among the educated elite, predating the rise of native Japanese waka. Collections such as 懐風藻 preserve some of the oldest 漢詩 composed in Japan.

Examples

1. 平安時代の貴族は漢詩を詠む教養を必須とされた。 Heian-period aristocrats were expected to have the refinement to compose Chinese poetry.
2. 漢詩の構造を学ぶことで、古典文学の理解が深まる。 Studying the structure of Chinese poetry deepens one's understanding of classical literature.
3. 白居易の漢詩は日本文学にも大きな影響を与えた。 The Chinese poetry of Bai Juyi had a profound influence on Japanese literature.

Usage Guide

Context: classical literature, Chinese studies, literary history

Tone: scholarly

Origin & History

From 漢 (Han Chinese) and 詩 (poetry). Literally 'Han-style poetry,' referring to Chinese-language verse written in the classical Tang and Song dynasty tradition.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: Adults

Social background: Scholarly