Author/compiler: Kaibara Yoshifuru (Kōko) 貝原好古, also known as Chiken 恥軒, Confucianist, nephew of Kaibara Ekiken, 1664-1700. Imprint: N.p., n.d. (preface dated Genroku 10 元禄十年, 1697). No kanki from original blocks. Description: 13 kan, formerly in 6 satsu, rebound in 1 vol. western style. (Yamato kotohajime 大和事始, maki 1) ff. [2] (2 identical tobira), 2 (序), 44; (2) ff. 34; (3) ff. 36; (4) ff. 30; (5) ff. 50; (6) ff. 45; (furoku 附録) ff. 19; (Chūka kotohajime 中華事始, maki 1) ff. 2 (序), 46; (2) ff. 36; (3) ff. 52; (4) ff. 38; (5) ff. 35; (6) ff. 28, [1] . 21.8 x 15.8 cm. Fukurotoji. Blockprint. Printing frame 18.9 x 14.5 cm. Single-line borders. No fishtail design on hanshin. Hiragana-majiri text, with printed furigana (katakana). 9 lines to page, 18-20 characters to line. Mid-blue 19th century front cover of satsu 2 (maki 3) only, with printed title slip bearing gedai: 新編 (角書) 和事始 巻之三. Title from naidai on tobira and at head of first preface. Hashiragaki: (1) 和事始 + maki no. + folio no; (2) 漢事始 + maki no. + folio no. In a western style half-leather binding. Edition: A late-Edo period impression from the blocks of the first pre-1868 edition, with many re-cut blocks substituted (hokoku 補刻) for those most worn. This is confirmed by an okuzuke inserted by 8 publishers of Edo, Kyōto and Ōsaka, part of which reads: 嘉永二己酉歳 [=1849] 孟秋補刻 ／ 江戸 ... 須原屋茂兵衛 ／ 大坂 ... 秋田屋太右エ門. Contents: An encyclopedic work, primarily intended for women and children, tracing the origins of things: natural phenomena, people, customs and institutions, myths and legends, drawn from earlier literary sources. The new theories and views of Kaibara Ekiken are apparent in the work. In two parts, one dealing with Japan (preface by Matsushita Kenrin 松下見林 dated Genroku 10, 1697) and the other with China (preface by Kaibara Ekiken 貝原益軒 dated Genroku 9, 1696).
Wakan kotohajime 和漢事始
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- ReferenceGB 59 16070.b.9
- Dates of Creation1697
- Language of MaterialJapanese
- Physical Description1 volume Condition: Very good. No worm damage or stains. Impression: Atozuri from badly worn blocks, except where replaced by newly cut blocks. Seals of ownership: None.
Scope and Content
Access Information
Not Public Record(s)
Unrestricted
Acquisition Information
Acquired from Alexander von Siebold, 22 July 1868.
Other Finding Aids
Kenneth Gardner, Descriptive Catalogue of Japanese books in the British Library printed before 1700 (London and Tenri, 1993).C. Japanese works 和書 1. Encyclopedias and works of general scope 事典・一般書
Bibliography
Nihon koten bungaku daijiten 日本古典文学大辞典, vol. 6, p. 341.