Setsuwa

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Setsuwa (Jap., ‘explanatory stories’). Japanese stories of miraculous happenings which carry a moral message. They are frequently Buddhist. Important collections are Nihon Ryoiki (9th cent., written by a Buddhist monk, Kyokai, Konjaku Monogatari (12th cent.), and Uji Shui Monogatari (13th cent.). See also DENSETSU and SHINWA for other kinds of Japanese story.

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Setsuwa

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