The battle of an eggplant and a bonito over a potato-courtesan

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Satoka yoi Ōpira no sakae: uosei hatsumono ["Villages and houses on night duty and Ōpira's honour: the first catch of milt"]

Torii, Kiyonaga [illustrated by].

[Edo (Tōkyō): Okumuraya, An'ei 6 (1777)].

A kibyōshi illustrated by famous artist Torii Kiyonaga (1752–1815) on the tale of a battle (instigated by a feud between a bonito and an eggplant over a beautiful potato-courtesan) between sea creatures on one side and fruits and vegetables on the other. The story ends happily, both sides having been convinced to reconcile by an altruistic duck. Each character is crowned with the creature or food item they represent; characters are therefore pictured topped with leeks, daikon radishes, wasabi, yuzu, seaweed, pufferfish, and other perishables. It is unclear whether Kiyonaga also composed the text for the kibyōshi. No research in English on the text was uncovered, and research in Japanese is sparse. Only two extant copies were traced, one at the Kaga Collection of Tokyo's Chuo Library and the other at Tokyo's Gotoh Museum. No copies were identified in foreign collections. A fascinating and scarce complete kibyōshi featuring anthropomorphised characters.

One four-hole (yotsutoji) volume, presumed complete, on double leaves, traditional East Asian binding style (fukurotoji). Original upper wrapper with several tears and marks, lacking mounted daisen panel. Lower wrapper worn and lightly stained, possibly non-original. Thumbing, occasional marks, two small stamps, and light stains to leaves. Small losses to opening edges of leaves 4, 13, and 14. Housed in non-original custom slipcase. 15 leaves. 18 x 12.7 cm

The battle of an eggplant and a bonito over a potato-courtesan
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