noun
Japanese-style literary style; wabun style
Refers to a literary style that developed from the Heian period onward, characterized by the use of kana and a strong association with women's writing. It is a technical term in Japanese literary history.
『源氏物語』は和文体の代表的な作品です。
"The Tale of Genji" is a representative work of the wabun style.
和文体は漢文体と対比されることが多い。
The wabun style is often contrasted with the kanbun style.
A broader term for Japanese writing or prose, while 和文体 specifically denotes the stylistic tradition.
Compound of 和 (wa, 'Japanese') + 文 (bun, 'writing') + 体 (tai, 'style'). The term was coined to distinguish native Japanese literary styles from Chinese-influenced ones.