An Adaptation of a Keijo-uta

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Edo no Hana Ofude Hansan Shinju Kudoki ["Edo's Flowers Ofude and Hanzan: Oral Recitation of a Double Suicide"]

[Sugioka (illustrated by)?].

Bakuro-chō, [Tōkyō]: Yoshidaya Shōkichi, [ca. late Edo period (1840-60s)?].

A short song in which two lovers from different social strata make a suicide pact, believing their love to be forbidden, but are saved by a relative's permission to marry. Shun'ichi Itagaki notes in The Publishing Business of Yoshidaya in the late Edo era - About Song and Ballad Books Published by Yosidaya [sic] (p. 11-12) that the story was originally published as a kawaraban and later became popular as a keijo-uta (a type of popular song sung by blind women). He adds that while the title of the work includes the word shinjū ("a double (lovers') suicide"), the fact that no suicides were carried out in the story, together with the text's advocacy of education at lower social strata, shows a level of obedience to the Bakufu's edict forbidding the sale of texts about such a topic. The last leaf of the second issue of this copy is lacking; thus, a good teaching copy only. Two volumes bound in one, on double leaves, fukurotoji style. Original wrappers, worn and chipped. Loss to gutter head. One or two small wormholes and marks. Staple to spine oxidised. 4; 3 leaves, including wrappers. Last leaf of second issue wanting. 17 x 11.2 cm.

An Adaptation of a Keijo-uta
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