Author/compiler: Zeami Motokiyo 世阿彌元清 (attribution), 1363-1443. Imprint: N.p., n.d. [Meireki 3, 1657 ?] . (See notes under Edition below.). Description: 8 kan, 8 satsu, rebound in 1 vol. (western style). (1) ff. 20; (2) ff. 18; (3) ff. 30; (4) ff. 37; (5) ff. 33; (6) ff. 26; (7) ff. 35; (8) ff. 17. 25.5 x 18.9 cm. Fukurotoji. Blockprint. Printing frame 22.7 x 17.8 cm. No borders. No fishtail design on hanshin. Hiragana-majiri text without furigana. 12 lines to page, 19-20 characters to line. Dark blue front cover (probably original) deeply embossed with a stylised wave pattern, of maki 1 only, within a half-leather binding in western style. Original blockprinted title slip with gedai: Kadensho 1 花傳書一. No naidai. Hashiragaki: Ka maki 1 (etc.) 花巻一 (二, 等) + folio no. Edition: An undated edition printed from blocks engraved in skilful imitation of the movable type edition The hanshin bears a running title, maki no. and folio no., all of which are lacking in movable type editions. The present copy, although undated, most closely resembles the blockprinted edition of 1657. Contents: A treatise on the ''''secret'''' principles and practice of nō drama. Compilation attributed to Zeami, based on oral traditions handed down by his father Kan'ami 觀阿彌.
Kadensho 花傳書 [花伝書]
This material is held atBritish Library Asia, Pacific and Africa Collections
- Reference
- GB 59 Or.75.g.10
- Dates of Creation
- [1657]
- Language of Material
- Japanese
- Physical Description
- 1 volume Condition: Excellent. Few stains and no worm damage. Folios 14-18 of maki 3 have been incorrectly bound in at end of maki 8. Impression: Atozuri. A moderate amount of block wear, as is to be expected from an undated edition printed from the blocks of Meireki 3 (1657). A similar undated copy from the same blocks appears as item 61 in the catalogue quoted above; Kōbunsō dates it to Manji or Kanbun periods (1658-73). However, the present copy could be a much later impression if the page of publisher's advertisements bound in after maki 8 really belongs with this book. Illustrations: See no. 483 above. Same illustrations, but from re-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 8. Literature - poetry 国文-詩歌 b. Nō 能
Bibliography
Nihon koten bungaku daijiten 日本古典文学大辞典, vol. 5, pp. 217-8; Kokatsujiban no kenkyū 古活字版の研究, pp. 562-5, 909.