Keisei Koi Samisen: Yūkiri Izaemon [A Courtesan's Shamisen of Love: Yūkiri and Izaemon]

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Keisei Koi Samisen: Yūkiri Izaemon ["A Courtesan's Shamisen of Love: Yūkiri and Izaemon"]

[Bokusentei], Yukimaro [text by]; [Keisai], Eisen [illustrated by].

Edo [Tōkyō]: Maruya Jinpachi, Bunsei 10 [1827].

A gōkan illustrated by Eisen recounting a lovers' feud between the courtesan Yūkiri and her handsome but destitute customer Fujiya Izaemon. Yūkiri and Izaemon are the protagonists of a number of kabuki and jōruri plays, the most famous being Kuruwa Bunshō (first performed ca. 1808). This copy is from a shinpan (existing work printed using newly cut woodblocks) edition. Scenes featuring two female characters fighting men are a highlight. 

Five chapters in two parts, bound in one four-hole (yotsumetoji) volume on double leaves, traditional East Asian binding style (fukurotoji). Wrappers worn and lightly stained, repairs to corner losses. Lower wrapper of v.1 removed, that of v.2 presumed unoriginal. One scene coloured by hand. Thumbing and minor stains internally. Ex-ownership inscription to lower pastedown. 25 leaves (continuously paginated). 18.1 x 12.2 cm. 

Keisei Koi Samisen: Yūkiri Izaemon [A Courtesan's Shamisen of Love: Yūkiri and Izaemon]
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