Sanzesō Izumo tōzachō (The book of divination: a current register of things in Izumo)

US$1,815.00

ENQUIRE

BUY

Sanzesō Izumo tōzachō ["The book of divination: a current register of things in Izumo"]

Gyōkaen, Gochō [text by]; Ichimōsai [Utagawa], Yoshitora [illustrated by]. 

[Edo (Tōkyō): Kinkyōdō], Kōka 3 [1846].

A scarce gōkan on the romantic compatibility of different personality types, authored by Gyōkaen Gochō (active 1846-1852) and illustrated by Utagawa Yoshitora (active ca. 1850-1880s). The humorous work contains many double-page spreads featuring couples, the captions giving the differing personality types of the men and women and, underneath, their levels of compatibility in the style of omikuji divinations ('very lucky', 'so-so', 'extremely unlucky', and so on). Many of the characters are depicted as anthropomorphic: some have animal features (like a humanoid kappa and a suppon) while others have items (like shoes, bells, kettles, and bowls) atop their heads representing their personalities. The scene on the upper wrappers depicts a small shrine inhabited by the statues of a man and woman, votive tablets (ema) featuring images of couples, and an omikuji box. Perhaps there was such a shrine dedicated to marital happiness in Izumo, which is mentioned in the title. Records suggest Gyōkaen only authored one other published book, which was illustrated by Hiroshige II and published in 1852. An under-researched text by an obscure author who evidently had access to two up-and-coming illustrators of the late Edo period.

Four parts in two four-hole-bound (yotsutoji) volumes, complete, on double leaves, traditional East Asian binding style (fukurotoji). Original upper wrappers lightly worn and with one or two ink stains. Original lower wrapper of second volume lacking; lower wrapper of first volume presumed original. Ex-ownership inscriptions to three pastedowns; stamp to first page of text. Light stains, thumbing, and wear to text. 20 leaves, continuously paginated. Each volume approx. 17.5 x 11.6 cm. 

Sanzesō Izumo tōzachō (The book of divination: a current register of things in Izumo)
Price: $1,815.00 (USD)