Kimyō Zui (A Strange Pictorial Dictionary)

ENQUIRE

[Kimyō Zui ("A Strange Pictorial Dictionary")]

Santō-an [Santō, Kyōden] [text and illustrations by].

[Edo]: Ōshimaya Den'emon, [ca. Kyōwa period (1801-1804)].

A playful book of moji-e ("character-picture") illustrations and hanjimono/hanji-e ("puzzle-pictures") by the acclaimed gesaku author Santō Kyōden. Moji-e are illustrations that feature Japanese characters (typically hiragana) 'hidden' in the lines that construct the illustration. Often the hidden characters will spell out the name of the object pictured, and the text will provide hints for the reader. The title of the work plays on the pronunciation of Kinmō Zui, a famous illustrated encyclopedia of the Edo period. This copy is thought to be an early edition from the Kyōwa period (1801-4), not a Meiji reprint. The title on the daisen (outer title panel) reads Kokkei Ryakugashiki. All leaves are woodblock-printed in colour. For an analysis of this work, please see Miriam Wattles's "The Longevity of a Dirty Little Dictionary" (Impressions 30: 59-66). 

One four-hole-bound (yotsumetoji) volume, complete, on double leaves, traditional East Asian binding style (fukurotoji). Part of original daisen title panel present. Original wrappers worn and slightly mottled. Occasional ink marks, small seals, and very small wormholes internally. 1, 30 leaves. 17.3 x 11 cm. 

Kimyō Zui (A Strange Pictorial Dictionary)
SOLD