noun
Japanized classical Chinese; hentai kanbun
A style of writing used from the Heian period onward that adapts classical Chinese to Japanese grammar and vocabulary. Primarily a technical term in Japanese linguistics and literary history.
変体漢文は、平安時代の公文書や日記によく使われた。
Hentai kanbun was often used in official documents and diaries of the Heian period.
この古文書は変体漢文で書かれているため、現代人には読みにくい。
This ancient document is written in hentai kanbun, so it is difficult for modern people to read.