Shinsei Tobi Dango (Consultation with a Beautiful Rabbit: A New System)

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Shinsei Tobi Dango ["Consultation with a Beautiful Rabbit: A New System"]

Mantei, Ōga [text by]; Seisei [Kawanabe], Kyōsai [illustrated by]. 

[Tōkyō]: Yamazakiya Seishichi, Meiji 6 [1873]. 

A story about greed, featuring the characters Yokuno Fuzakō (a human), Saitoriya Butaroku (a pig), a dog, and a rabbit. The satire attacks the greed of the participants of the rabbit-breeding fad (known as the usagi baburu ("rabbit bubble")) of Meiji 4 to 6 (1871-3). The fad reached its peak the year this fascicle was published, when a law prohibiting rabbit-selling fairs was enacted by the government. Tobidango (spelled with the kanji 飛団子 instead of those used for the title of this work (兎美断語)) were dango rice cakes made and sold on the streets said to protect the consumer against evil spirits. While the title resembles that of the popular satirical magazine Kibi Dango (驥尾団子, another phonetic pun on the name of a type of rice cake), Ōga's work preceded the publication of the periodical by six years. This is one of the earliest satirical zasshi Kyōsai and Ōga produced together. No copies traced outside of Japan in OCLC.

One karitoji-bound volume, complete, on double leaves, traditional East Asian binding style (fukurotoji). Original wrappers lightly browned and with a few marks, ex-ownership seal to upper. Minor creases, thumbing, and small marks internally. 8 leaves. 22.7 x 15.3 cm. 

Shinsei Tobi Dango (Consultation with a Beautiful Rabbit: A New System)
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