also: こくぶん
written report to the gods; imperial edict; written appeal to a superior
Historical term for a formal written communication directed to deities, the emperor, or a higher authority. Not used in modern everyday Japanese.
Offer a written report to the gods.
The imperial edict was conveyed to the provinces.
Standard kanji spelling for the reading こうもん.
Alternate reading; less common than こうもん.
Compound of 告 (announce, inform) and 文 (writing, document). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word appears in classical and religious contexts.