Gesaku shisho Kyōden yoshi [Professor Santō's frivolous four books]

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Gesaku shisho Kyōden yoshi ["Professor Santō's frivolous four books"]

Santō, Kyōden [text by]].

Kyōbashi, [Tōkyō]: Suzuki Kinjirō, Meiji 18 [1885].

A Meiji edition of Santō Kyōden's comedic adaptation of the classical Chinese Four Books, illustrated with five full-page and two double-page images. The text is a parody by Santō Kyōden of Keiten yoshi, a well-known textbook/commentary on the Four books of classical Chinese philosophy for Japanese readers. In Kyōden's text, more commonly known as Kyōden yoshi ("The intentions of Kyōden"), Daigaku ("Great learning") is replaced by Dairaku ("Great pleasure"), Chūyō ("Doctrine of the mean") by Tsūyō ("Popular use"), Rongo ("Analects") by Bungo ("Bungo Province"), and Mōshi ("Mencius") by Mōshi (the character for "monkey" and/or "speech"). Each of the stories under these headings (typically featuring alcohol and courtesans) is preceded by a short passage in kanbun. An irreverent and surprisingly little-studied share-bon by Kyōden, and reportedly the origin of the rakugo story Mīratori. While the illustrator is unidentified, most of the scenes are decidedly Kyōsai-esque. A very nice impression.

Two volumes, complete, on double leaves, fukurotoji style. Bindings re-sewn, leaves backed with washi. Original woodblock-printed daisen panels mounted on original wrappers. Light soiling and scrapes to wrappers. Very small loss to title margin, not affecting text. Title in brush and ink to textblock foot. Occasional internal marks, creases, small wormholes, and ex-ownership stamps. [2], 18; 14, [1] leaves. 15.6 x 11.2 cm.

Gesaku shisho Kyōden yoshi [Professor Santō's frivolous four books]
Price: $1,665.00 (USD)