{"product_id":"edo-1808-woodblock-printed-manuscript-by-santo-kyoden","title":"Edo 1808 Woodblock Printed Manuscript by Santō Kyōden","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe illustrations remain remarkably well-preserved, with crisp woodblock lines and strong, unfaded printing. There is extensive insect damage along the outer edges of the pages, reflecting more than two centuries of age, though the damage generally does not extend into the main illustrations, allowing the artwork to remain clear and visually striking.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"166\" data-end=\"497\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eVery good antique condition overall. The pages retain sharp woodblock impressions and well-preserved printing, making this an excellent surviving example of an early nineteenth-century illustrated book. The handmade paper displays the natural aging expected of a work more than two centuries old while remaining highly displayable.\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"499\" data-end=\"761\"\u003eThis original Edo-period woodblock-printed book, titled\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"555\" data-end=\"583\"\u003eEdo Seisei Kyōden Chishiki\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(江戸醒醒京伝識), was published in the sixth month of Bunka 5 (1808). It was compiled by Suiken Kyōden (酔醒京伝), whose humorous pen name roughly translates as \"Kyōden, Drunk Then Sober.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"763\" data-end=\"1183\"\u003eThe work belongs to the tradition of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"800\" data-end=\"810\"\u003ekibyōshi\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand illustrated\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"827\" data-end=\"834\"\u003ekyōka\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003emiscellanies, popular books that combined humorous writing, folklore, satire, poetry, and imaginative illustrations for a broad Edo readership. Rather than focusing on a single story, the book presents a fascinating collection of strange phenomena, legendary figures, superstitions, historical anecdotes, and comic observations about everyday life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1185\" data-end=\"1674\"\u003eAmong its most memorable illustrations are the famous\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"1239\" data-end=\"1248\"\u003eShūhizu\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(\"Skinless Body\"), an imaginative skeletal anatomy created decades before anatomy books became common in popular publishing, a giant bird attacking frightened townspeople, Buddhist exorcism rituals, warriors, and wandering monks carrying skulls as symbols of the impermanence of life. Together these images reflect the curiosity, humor, and fascination with the supernatural that characterized much of Edo popular literature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1676\" data-end=\"1916\"\u003eThe title itself playfully references the celebrated writer\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003eSantō Kyōden\u003c\/span\u003e, one of the greatest authors of the late Edo period, suggesting a witty collection of knowledge and curious stories in the spirit of his work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1918\" data-end=\"2180\"\u003eBased on the dated title page, typography, handmade paper, traditional binding, and woodblock impressions, this appears to be an original Bunka 5 (1808) edition rather than a later Meiji reprint, making it a remarkable survival from the early nineteenth century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2182\" data-end=\"2351\"\u003eAn exceptional example of Edo-period popular publishing, suitable for collectors of Japanese illustrated books, folklore, supernatural art, and early woodblock printing.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Echoes of Edo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49212578398467,"sku":null,"price":3700.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0811\/5965\/1587\/files\/photo-collage.png_28.png?v=1783312634","url":"https:\/\/echoesofedo.com\/products\/edo-1808-woodblock-printed-manuscript-by-santo-kyoden","provider":"Echoes of Edo","version":"1.0","type":"link"}