Author/compiler: Unknown. Imprint: N.p., n.d. [Kanbun / Enpō period, c. 1661-80] . No colophon. Description: 9 (1 + 8) kan, 5 satsu, in a box. (Satsu 1) ff. [1] (序), 40 (目録 + 系図), 41 (maki 1); (satsu 2) ff. 33 (maki 2), 48 (maki 3); (satsu 3) ff. 35 (maki 4), 52 (maki 5); (satsu 4) ff. 28 (maki 6), 31 (maki 7); (satsu 5) ff. 32 (maki 8). Folios are not numbered at fore-edge, but at inner (binding) edge. 26.4 x 18.6 cm. Fukurotoji. Blockprint. Printing frame 21 x 16.5 cm. (approx.). No borders. No printed hanshin. Hiragana-majiri text, with some interlinear kanji. 12 lines to page, 22-25 characters to line. Original mid-brown covers, embossed with a lozenge design. Original title slips on left, with printed gedai: 栄花物語 目録 ／ 巻一 (二三, 等). Title from naidai at head of each maki. Folio numbering at inner edge of each folio. Edition: Undated edition of the abridged 9-kan version. No copies of this edition appear to be dated, though the copies owned by Ōsaka Furitsu Toshokan and Hibiya Toshokan (Kaga Bunko) bear the imprints Yamashiroya Sahē 山城屋佐兵衞 (Kyōto) and Mukai Yasaburō 向井八三郎 (Ōsaka) respectively. Both these publishers were active in mid-to late-Edo period, but the present copy is tentatively assigned to an earlier date, c. Kanbun 寛文 or Enpō 延宝 period, c. 1661-80. Contents: Historical tale (rekishi monogatari 歴史物語) written in the 11th century, covering the reigns of emperors Uda (887-97) to Horikawa (1086-1107), but focussing particularly on the life and career of Fujiwara no Michinaga 藤原道長, 966-1027. In its full form the work is in 40 kan, first published in a movable type edition in Genna / Kan'ei period, followed by a seihan edition in Meireki 2, 1656. The present edition is an abridged version of the full text. The work is also known under the title Yotsugi monogatari 世繼物語.
Eiga monogatari 榮花物語 [栄花物語]
This material is held atBritish Library Asia, Pacific and Africa Collections
- Reference
- GB 59 16052.f.21
- Dates of Creation
- [1661-1680]
- Language of Material
- Japanese
- Physical Description
- 5 volumes Condition: Generally good. Minor worm damage, chiefly in margins, much of it skilfully repaired. A few folios stained or soiled. Impression: An early impression, sharp and clear. Blocks show hardly any signs of wear. Illustrations: A total of 27 double-page and 24 single-page sumizuri illustrations, distributed as follows: maki 1, 2 double, 6 single; maki 2, 8 single; maki 3, 3 single, 5 double; maki 4, 1 single, 3 double; maki 5, 7 double; maki 6, 4 double, 1 single; maki 7, 1 double, 3 single; maki 8, 5 double, 2 single. The illustrations are attributed to Hinaya (Nonoguchi) Ryūho 雛屋 (野 口) 立圃, 1595-1669, an attribution which is acceptable on stylistic grounds. Seals of ownership: Small red seal printed inkoku, Bai 倍 (possibly a seal of ownership), on mikaeshi of each satsu.
Scope and Content
Access Information
Not Public Record(s)
Unrestricted
Acquisition Information
Acquired from Rinrōkaku, 4 Jan. 1960.
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 5. Literature - fiction 国文-小説 c. Rekishi monogatari 歴史物語
Bibliography
Nihon koten bungaku daijiten 日本古典文学大辞典, vol. 1, pp. 331-3; Kaga bunko mokuroku 加賀文庫目録, p. 346; Ōsaka furitsu toshokan zōsho mokuroku 大阪府立図書館蔵書目録, vol. 6, p. 161.