Sumiyoshi Monogatari (The Tale of Sumiyoshi)

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[Sumiyoshi Monogatari (The Tale of Sumiyoshi)]

[Scribe and illustrator unidentified].

[Japan, ca. early Edo period (1600-1750s?)]. In manuscript.

An opulent Nara ehon (Nara picture book) manuscript of the first volume of Sumiyoshi monogatari. The tale is a giko monogatari — a story featuring Heian period aristocrats — and follows the trials and tribulations of Himegimi, the beautiful daughter of Chūnagon. Himegimi, who has two stepsisters and is bullied relentlessly by her evil stepmother, falls in love with a handsome courtier. However, the courtier is forced to marry one of the stepsisters, and Himegimi escapes to Sumiyoshi Shrine. Through divine intervention, the courtier later finds Himegimi at the shrine and brings her back to the capital, where they are married. The original (lost) version of the tale was composed in the late tenth century, and the most popular extant version dates from around 1221, although there are six or so known variations. This volume (presumably the first of three) features one double-page scene in which the courtier first catches a glimpse of Himegimi, and four single-page illustrations, all of which have been delicately hand-painted and bordered with flecks of gold leaf.

One tetsuyōsō (sewn multisection) style volume (of three?), on single leaves. Ornate original fabric wrappers chipped at spine, upper faded and lacking mounted daisen (title slip). Lower pastedown lacking, exposing a letter used in the binding. Loss to lower corner of blank upper free endpaper, professionally repaired with washi paper. Minor thumbing, occasional marks, and browning internally. Light continuous stain to upper opening corner. Housed in non-original custom Paulownia box. [36] leaves including illustrations. 24 x 18 cm.

Sumiyoshi Monogatari (The Tale of Sumiyoshi)
Price: $5,800.00 (USD)