Chinbun Kanbun (Curious Pieces of Nonsense News)

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Chinbun Kanbun ["Curious Pieces of Nonsense News"]

[Suzuki, Rainosuke (illustrated by)?].

Ōsaka: Wataya Kihē, Meiji 10 [1877]. 

Issues 1-8 of this scarce Ōsaka-based periodical, bound and sold by the publisher in one volume. The bizarre cover illustration features electric cables (to which eyes and many ears are attached), a tanuki riding a stag, a fox riding a horse, a landmass presumably representing Japan or the world (sprouting trees and volcanos), ships, and a Punch-like character. The inference is perhaps that the periodical, represented by the Punch-like man, is striving to provide to many eyes and ears the bizarre things it has heard. The issues (each being a double-page document) include mitate banzuke (parody rankings) and advertisements. Several of these refer to the Satsuma Rebellion, which began and ended in the same year the work was published. The title plays on the pronunciation of the word chinpunkanpun ("gibberish"). The issues, which were probably also available for sale as single sheets, are believed to have been illustrated by the yōga (Western-style) artist Raisai Toshimoto (fl. 1877-1890s, also known as Suzuki Rainosuke), a pupil of Tsukioka Yoshitoshi. A scarce collection of satirical news sheets.

One gajōsō-bound volume, complete, with hōhaisō wrappers. Light creases and small wormholes to upper wrapper, spine slightly chipped. A few small marks to text. [7] leaves. 18.2 x 12.5 cm. 

Chinbun Kanbun (Curious Pieces of Nonsense News)
Price: $2,150.00 (USD)