Minken Hizakurige (A Journey Through Civil Rights)

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Minken Hizakurige ["A Journey Through Civil Rights"]

Seizaburō, Kida [text by]; Suita, Dōshi [Tajima, Shōji] [preface by]; Seisei [Kawanabe], Kyōsai [illustrated by]. 

Tōkyō: Kinkōdō, Meiji 15 [1882]. 

The first series (all published) of this work satirising the political debate around civil rights and democracy (the Jiyū Minken Undō (Freedom and People's Rights Movement)) in late 1870s to early 1880s Japan. Oikawa and Yamaguchi (1984b) state that the work - an adaptation of Jippensha Ikku's bestseller Tōkai Dōchū Hizakurige (1802-1814) - "criticises civilisation and mocks civil rights activists whose actions do not align with their words". The protagonists - Yaji and Kita - represent (or speak on behalf of) people of the lower social stratum in discussions with a politician anda government official in the text. The preface was written by Suita Dōshi (1852-1909, better known as Tajima Shōji), an author and journalist (notably for Maru Maru Chinbun) who often voiced anti-Christian (and occasionally, like Mantei Ōga, anti-modernisation) sentiments in his publications. A complete set of one of the most overtly political works Kyōsai illustrated. No copies traced outside of Japan in OCLC. 

First series (all published). Two four-hole-bound (yotsumetoji) volumes, complete, on double leaves, traditional East Asian binding style (fukurotoji). Original wrappers a little stained, marked, and creased. Loss to daisen title panel of v.1. Occasional browning to leaf extremities. Small tear to leaf 32. One small wormhole to v.2. 2, [2], 2, 41 leaves, continuously paginated. Both volumes measure approximately 18.1 x 12.2 cm.

❧ Oikawa, Shigeru and Seiichi Yamaguchi. "Kawanabe Kyōsai Sashiebon no Shomoku narabini Kaidai: Ge, Kyōsai no Sashie to Dezain". Museum 396 (1984), 18-26.

Minken Hizakurige (A Journey Through Civil Rights)
Price: $1,650.00 (USD)