Kōko Shinbun (World News)

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Kōko Shinbun ["World News"]

Fukuchi, Gen'ichirō [produced by]. 

[Edo (Tōkyō): Fukuchi Gen'ichirō], Keiō 4 [1868]. 

Issues 1-5 of Kōko Shinbun, a pro-Bakufu newspaper founded by the reporter, interpreter, and Tokugawa loyalist Fukuchi Gen'ichirō (1841-1906). The issues include illustrations lifted from British and French newspapers, several of which strive to replicate in woodblock prints the stylistic tendencies (especially the horizontal striations) of foreign copperplate engravings. The second issue, influenced by Charles Wirgman's Japan Punch magazine (first published in Yokohama in 1862), features a figure illustrated in a Western style, a description of the Punch style that would become so popular in Japan in the following decades, and what is ostensibly the first appearance of the Japanese word ponchi ("Punch"). Importantly, the text likens ponchi-e to toba-e sketches (「西洋新聞紙中「ポンチ」といふものあり是は鳥羽絵の風にて可笑き絵組を取認め其中に寓意ありて日本の判じ物也」). Issue 5 carries a report of the attempted assassination of Prince Alfred in 1868 in Sydney. A total of 22 issues of Kōko Shinbun were produced in April and May of 1868 before Fukuchi was temporarily imprisoned for criticizing the Satchō (Satsuma–Chōshū) military alliance. His publication was banned on May 22nd of the same year by the new Meiji government.  

Five issues in one karitoji-bound volume, on double leaves, traditional East Asian binding style (fukurotoji). Only upper wrapper of first issue present. Wrappers somewhat soiled, with a few wormholes (mostly repaired), ex-ownership stamps, ink stains, and a handwritten note. Wormholes to leaves, mostly repaired. Occasional marks and creases internally, continuous light stain to upper third of leaves. 25 leaves, continuously paginated. 16.9 x 11.4 cm.

Kōko Shinbun (World News)
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