Taiyō Shinwa: Tako no Nyūdō Uo Sekkyō [The Bald Octopus's Sermon to the Fish: A New Story from the Ocean]

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Taiyō Shinwa: Tako no Nyūdō Uo Sekkyō [The Bald Octopus's Sermon to the Fish: A New Story from the Ocean]

Kanagaki, Robun [text by]; Seisei [Kawanabe], Kyōsai [illustrated by]. 

[Tōkyō]: Zonseikaku ... [et al.], [preface dated Meiji 5 (1872)]. 

In this apologue by famous writer Kanagaki Robun (who happened to be the son of a fishmonger), the Dragon King hears of social reform on the surface and orders the sea creatures of his underwater realm to adopt similar programs promoting 'civilisation and enlightenment'. The title has been variously translated in English scholarship as A Fishy Sermon for an Octopus Initiate, Octopus Acolyte and Fish Preacher, and New Tales from the Pacific Ocean: An Octopus's Instructional Lecture, with the latter being the most accurate (the octopus in the story appears to be the lecturer, not the listener). Tako nyūdō was a term used to refer to octopuses or to mock people with shaved heads (as octopuses are 'bald as monks'). This work seems to demonstrate Robun's acceptance of societal reforms at a time when many authors were strongly critical of them. Robun and the artist Kawanabe Kyōsai collaborated on a mixture of pro- and anti-Westernisation works in the early to mid-Meiji period, including Seiyō Dochū Hizakurige (1870-1876), Kappa Sōden Kyūrizukai (1872 and 1882), Seiyō Ryōritsū (1872), Aguranabe (1871-1872), Ukiyo Karakuri Seiyō Megane (1873) and the satirical journals Robun Chinpō (1877-1879) and Tsuki to Supponchi (1878-1880). Issues two and three of Tako no Nyūdō are advertised in the colophon but were never published. An obscure collaboration between Kyōsai and Robun, complete in one volume.

One four-hole-bound (yotsumetoji) volume, complete, on double leaves, traditional East Asian binding style (fukurotoji). Original wrappers stained and creased. Original mounted daisen title panel present. Small ex-ownership stamp to upper pastedown/title. Occasional ink marks to margins and colophon. Pigment hand-applied to a small section of one illustration. Light internal thumbing and minor creases to corners. [1], 19 leaves. 18 x 11.6 cm.

Taiyō Shinwa: Tako no Nyūdō Uo Sekkyō [The Bald Octopus's Sermon to the Fish: A New Story from the Ocean]
Price: $2,150.00 (USD)