Seirō Hankatsū (Poseur of the Bordellos)

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Seirō Hankatsū ["Poseur of the Bordellos"] 

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

[Tōkyō]: Kōbundō ... [et al.], Meiji 7 [1874]. 

Three issues, complete, of this satire set in Yoshiwara after the implementation of the Meiji 5 (1872) ordinance liberating all geisha and courtesans. Hankatsū (半化通) plays on the identical pronunciation of the word 半可通, meaning "self-styled-sophisticate" or "poseur" ("Commute Through the Half-Changed Bordellos" might be as equally accurate a translation as the title suggested above). Steele (2010) provides a useful synopsis of the work, which he translates as "A Professor of Pleasure": 

"[Seirō Hankatsū] tells the (semi-autobiographical) tale of the son of a samurai family in the countryside who came to Tokyo intent upon studying the West. Instead of devoting himself to scholarship, he began to frequent the Yoshiwara licensed quarters and became a patron of a high-ranking geisha. He made his successful rise in the world as an authority on the pleasure district. In this way, Ōga mocked Fukuzawa’s contention that only the powers of Western learning could bring about success in life."

A scarce complete set, with beautiful and entertaining upper wrappers by Kyōsai. 

Three issues in one four-hole-bound (yotsumetoji) volume, complete, on double leaves, traditional East Asian binding style (fukurotoji). Original upper wrappers bound in non-original contemporary wrappers. Handwritten daisen to upper (outer) wrapper; kaisei-in seals to upper (inner) wrappers. Occasional creases, marks, and light stains to leaves. 8; 8; 8 leaves. 22.1 x 15 cm. 

❧ Steele, M. William. "Meiji Twitterings: A Parody of Fukuzawa's An Encouragement of Learning". Ajia Bunka Kenkyū 18 (2010), 55-77.  

Seirō Hankatsū (Poseur of the Bordellos)
Price: $2,500.00 (USD)