saibun

Updated: May 13, 2025

Then the priests retire to their places; and after a little silence begins the reading of the saibun the reading of the addresses to the soul of the dead. The students speak first one from each class, chosen by election.

Lafcadio Hearn - Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan : Second Series

And last among the students a gentle girl rises a pupil of the Normal School to speak in tones soft as a bird's. As each saibun is finished, the reader lays the written paper upon the table before the honzon, and bows; and retires. It is now the turn of the teachers; and an old man takes his place at the little table old Katayama, the teacher of Chinese, famed as a poet, adored as an instructor.

Lafcadio Hearn - Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan : Second Series