Author/compiler: Unknown. Imprint: N.p., n.d. [Enpō 延宝 to Kyōhō 享保 period, late 17th early 18th century ?] . No colophon. See under Edition below. Description: 1 kan, 1 satsu, in a chitsu case. ff. [30] (folios unnumbered). 15.8 x 22.7 cm. (oblong format). Fukurotoji. Blockprint. Printing frame 12.5 x 20.5 cm. (average). No borders. No printed hanshin. Hiragana-majiri text, with printed furigana, dakuten and kutōten. 13 lines to page, 12-13 characters to line. Original dark blue covers with painted design of cloud-bands, plants and butterflies in faded gold. Damaged pink title slip with original printed gedai: 蛤の草子 十一. No naidai. Title from gedai. Edition: One volume (maki 11) from the complete set of 23 illustrated otogi-zōshi tales in uniform format and hanshiki, published in an undated edition by the Ōsaka publisher Shibukawa Seiemon. This edition is commonly assigned to the Kyōhō period (1716-36), but as the publisher Shibukawa was active from c. Enpō period (1673-81) onwards, it may possibly be earlier. The present copy (and 16108.b.10) belong to the same edition as Or.75.g.15 and are identical with maki 11 and 1 of that set. Contents: An otogi-zōshi story on the theme of filial piety and the compassion of Kannon. The plot concerns Shijira, a poor fisherman of India, who lands a miraculous clam. The shell grows to giant size and opens to reveal a beautiful maiden, an emissary from the Bodhisattva Kannon, who becomes his bride and brings prosperity to his family.
Hamaguri no sōshi 蛤の草子
This material is held atBritish Library Asia, Pacific and Africa Collections
- Reference
- GB 59 16107.g.26
- Dates of Creation
- [1673-1716]
- Language of Material
- Japanese
- Physical Description
- 1 volume Condition: Excellent, apart from rubbed covers. Impression: An early impression, not shozuri but sharp and clear. Illustrations: 11 single-page sumizuri woodcuts in an archaistic style, in some cases extending onto the preceding or following page in the manner of books derived from kansubon 巻子本. Seals of ownership: Square red seal, Kyūkodō 汲古堂, on mikaeshi.
Scope and Content
Access Information
Not Public Record(s)
Unrestricted
Acquisition Information
Acquired from Kōbunsō, 14 April 1958.
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 e. Muromachi jidai monogatari 室町時代物語
Bibliography
Nihon koten bungaku daijiten 日本古典文学大辞典, vol. 5, p. 118; Kanrodō bunko kikōbon kōran 甘露堂文庫稀覯本攷覽, ff. 6-7; Otogi-zōshi 御伽草子 (Nihon koten bungaku taikei 日本古典文学大系, vol. 38).