Yudasuki [The Sacred Mulberry-Bark Sash]

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Yūdasuki [The Sacred Mulberry-Bark Sash]

Hōtō Sanjin [preface by].

[Edo (Tōkyō)]: Izumiya Kinshichi, Hanaya Kyūjirō, Meiwa 8 [1771].

An early sharebon, this work is notable for its relatively large hanshibon format, which reflects an early publishing tradition that preceded the adoption of the smaller kohon or konnyakubon formats more commonly associated with the genre. Sharebon were humorous works of fiction concerned with the customs and social conventions of the pleasure quarters (yūkaku). Emerging in the mid-Edo period, the genre drew on Chinese courtesan literature and developed into a popular form of urban entertainment, combining social observation, satire, and specialised knowledge of pleasure-quarter etiquette. The work comprises nine chapters, the first seven treating different aspects of courtesan culture: the nature of the courtesan, sexual relationships, clients and courtesans, pregnancy, lovers' suicides, physical demonstrations of fidelity through finger-cutting, hair-cutting and nail-pulling, and written vows and tattoos. The final two chapters comprise stories about courtesans and the origins of the profession. Published almost two decades before the censorship measures of the Kansei Reforms began to restrict the genre, the work predates the 1791 prosecution of the prolific writer Santō Kyōden (1761–1816) for three sharebon publications. Kyōden received fifty days of house confinement in handcuffs, while his publisher, Tsutaya Jūzaburō, suffered a substantial financial penalty. A complete set, notable for preserving the relatively uncommon large-format tradition of early sharebon publishing.

Three four-hole-bound (yotsumetoji) volumes, on double leaves, traditional East Asian binding style (fukurotoji). Presumed original wrappers creased and worn, with some wormholes. Daisen (title panel) of v.1 handwritten. Internal thumbing, wear, marks, occasional inscriptions, and light stains. Wormholes repaired with washi mounting. Housed in non-original custom chitsu case. 2, 3, 9; 12; 14, [2] leaves. 22.3 x 15.6 cm

Yudasuki [The Sacred Mulberry-Bark Sash]
Price: $3,420.00 (USD)