Shōbatsu Tenkarafuru (Reward and Punishment: Fall from Heaven); Bikkuri Chōmenbako (The Surprise Box of Punishment)

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Shōbatsu Tenkarafuru ["Reward and Punishment: Fall from Heaven"]; Bikkuri Chōmen-bako ["The Surprise Box of Punishment"]

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

Tōkyō: Yamazaki Seishichi ... [et al.], Meiji 8 [1875].

Two Kyōsai-Ōga zasshi bound together by an ex-owner. The title of the first issue in the volume, Shōbatsu Tenkarafuru, plays on the reading of karafuru ("to fall from" or "colourful"), and can mean both "Fall from Heaven" and "Colouful Heaven". Ōga evidently liked this title, as he produced a similarly-named work (Manpuku Tenkarafuru) illustrated by Ogata Gekkō (1859-1920) in Meiji 19 (1886). The story's underlying message seems to be that artistic accomplishments are not useful in real life, and that training in them is as meaningful as 'practicing swimming in a dry field'. The Shōbatsu Tenkarafuru zasshi is identified as the first issue in the colophon, but it appears that no other issues were published under this title. The second issue in the volume, Bikkuri Chōmenbako, is a part of Kyōsai and Ōga's Shōsetsu Sanhako ("Three 'Boxes' of Novels") trilogy. 

Two issues in one four-hole-bound (yotsumetoji) volume, on double leaves, traditional East Asian binding style (fukurotoji). All leaves backed with used documents. Original wrappers lightly discoloured and creased. Small losses to upper wrapper of Shōbatsu Tenkarafuru. Ex-ownership stamp to colophon of same issue. Occasional small marks and wormholes to leaves of both issues. Pigments hand-applied to illustrated scenes in Bikkuri Chōmenbako. 8; 8 leaves. 21.4 x 14.2 cm.

Shōbatsu Tenkarafuru (Reward and Punishment: Fall from Heaven); Bikkuri Chōmenbako (The Surprise Box of Punishment)
Price: $1,750.00 (USD)