Tsuki to Supponchi (The Moon and a Supponchi)

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Tsuki to Supponchi ["The Moon and a Supponchi"]

Shinoda, Kyūjirō [edited by]; Mantei, Ōga, Kanagaki, Robun, Baitei, Kinga ... [et al.] [supplemented by], Seisei [Kawanabe], Kyōsai, Tsukioka, Yoshitoshi ... [et al.] [illustrated by]. 

Tōkyō: Kōshūsha, Meiji 11-12 [1878-1879].

Issues 1 to 20 of Tsuki to Supponchi, a satirical newspaper edited by Shinoda Kyūjirō (Ryūtei Senka II, 1837-1884). Tsuki to suppon is a Japanese idiom meaning literally "the moon and a soft-shelled turtle" and figuratively "(as different as) chalk and cheese". The word Supponchi in the title merges the words suppon (soft-shelled turtle) and ponchi (Punch) and is probably a reference to Robun and Kyōsai's earlier (short-lived) satirical paper Eshinbun Nipponchi (1874). The wrapper design was created by Kyōsai, who, alongside Tsukioka Yoshitoshi and other artists, also provided occasional in-text illustrations for the periodical. Mantei Ōga, Kanagaki Robun, Baitei Kinga, Ryūtei Senka II (the editor), and Ryūtei Umehiko are identified as contributors of supplementary material in the issues' back matter. The issues feature a veritable smorgasbord of games, poems, and amusements, including chaban, e-sagashi, e-kyōdai, haiku, dodoitsu, kyōka, hanjimono/hanji-e, kangae-mono, hitoguchi banashi, ebisu goroawase, nazo, witty one-liners, puns, riddles, and short humorous stories sent in by readers. An article titled "Japanese Journalism" featured in the June 26th, 1880 issue of The Japan Weekly Mail describes Tsuki to Supponchi as a journal "containing amusing songs and sketches", adding that "[p]assing events generally obtain a humorous comment in Japan, as in other countries, in the form of new songs and sayings, retailed chiefly by the actors, and the geisha with their samisen accompaniments. The Tsukito Supponchi gives a collection of such novelties". Kyōsai and Ōga are not the sole contributors to the work (which,  incidentally, is not woodblock-printed but printed using movable type). Tsuki to Supponchi exists as a record of the artistic and literary collaboration of numerous creative powerhouses of the Meiji era on an early comic newspaper.

Issues 1-20, some four-hole-bound (yotsumetoji), some karitoji-bound, on double leaves, traditional East Asian binding style (fukurotoji). Original upper wrappers chipped, somewhat soiled, creased, with a few tears and wormholes. Upper wrappers of issues 9 and 17 lacking, that of issue 1 replaced. Occasional creases, stains, wormholes, and marks internally. Continuous stain to gutter and lower 4 cm of leaves of issue 20. Lower binding strings of issues 9 and 10 cut. 8; 8; 8; 8; 8; 8; 8; 8; 8; 10; 8; 8; 8; 8; 8; 8; 8; 8; 8; 8 leaves. Issues approx. 23 x 15.5 cm.

❧ "Japanese Journalism". Japan Weekly Mail, June 26, 1880. 

Tsuki to Supponchi (The Moon and a Supponchi)
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