Eshi Zōshi (The Story of a Painter)

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Eshi Zōshi ["The Story of a Painter"]

[Creator unidentified].

Edo [Tōkyō]: Nakaya Tokubē [distributed by], [ca. Kaei period (1849)?]. 

A printed edition of the story of a poor painter, based on a medieval picture scroll. The original scroll is currently housed by the Museum of the Imperial Collections in Tokyo and was once believed to have been painted by the courtier Fujiwara no Nobuzane (1176-1266). However, scholars now believe that the scroll cannot be traced back this far. The tragicomic tale describes a series of events surrounding a destitute court painter, Mikawa Gon no Kami. The painter is gifted some land by the Imperial Court which will provide him with an income. Overjoyed, he celebrates with his family. It becomes apparent after sending an envoy to the region, however, that his land has already been fraudulently claimed by another party, leaving him with nothing. After a fruitless legal battle, he decides to dedicate his life to Buddhism, and, in his later years, paints his life story as a picture scroll. This copy of the tale was previously owned by the acclaimed painter Tomioka Tessai (1837-1924), known as the last major Bunjinga artist, who has also provided a manuscript inscription on the upper pastedown about Nobuzane and the original handscroll. The seal at the top of the title on the first text page reads 鉄斎居士 ("Tessai Koji"). A manuscript note about the price of the work Eika Monogatari (by Nobuzane) is tipped-in to the lower free endpaper, and a slip of paper reading 信實 (Nobuzane) has been tipped-in to the lower pastedown. The printed colour designations are a wonderfully creative feature of the work. Volume 28 of the Tankaku Sōsho: Kiyuchitsu series. An unusual story with excellent, fantastically relevant, provenance.

One four-hole-bound (yotsumetoji) volume, complete, on double leaves, traditional East Asian binding style (fukurotoji). Original wrappers a little worn and marked. Original woodblock-printed daisen and non-original manuscript daisen present. Light browning, thumbing, and a few small marks internally. Manuscript inscription to upper pastedown. Two ex-ownership seals to first text page. Sticker removals to lower pastedown. Manuscript notes tipped-in to endpapers. Housed in non-original custom folder. 14, 3 leaves. 26 x 18.1 cm. 

Eshi Zōshi (The Story of a Painter)
Price: $4,260.00 (USD)