Literary or poetic term for the mundane, transient world we live in, often contrasted with the afterlife, the world of the dead, or an idealized realm. Compare 現世 (げんせ), which is more common in everyday or Buddhist contexts.
See also: 現世 (げんせ)
A waka poem that sings of the transience of this world.
He lived in a quietness as if he had left this world behind.
Most common kanji spelling for うつしよ, but note that 現世 can also be read げんせ (this world) or げんせい (present age).
Mixed kanji-kana spelling that makes the reading unambiguous.
Alternate kanji spelling with okurigana, also unambiguous.
From うつし (現し, 'real, actual') + 世 (よ, 'world'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word has been used in classical Japanese literature to refer to the tangible, present world.