Title: Nara Ehon Bunsho Soshi (Nara Picture Book Bunsho Soshi), 1456. A Complete Set of Three Medieval Manuscripts, with A Suite of Fourteen Sumptuously Illuminated and Hand Painted Illustrations
Condition: Poor
A rare Muromachi Period, mid 15th century trio of manuscripts, roughly entitled Nara Ehon Bunshō Soshi, or the Nara Picture Book Bunsho Soshi.
The Tale of Bunsho the Saltmaker, is one of a group of short stories called otogizoshi, compiled in the Muromachi period but more widely known by the 17th and 18th century. This tale recounts the life of Bunta, a lowly servant, who through hard work and devotion to a particular shrine is able to achieve fortune and happiness for his family.
The work has been accentuated with a full suite of fourteen paintings, though, judging by the way they are pasted in, it is possible they are of slightly later production. Each painting has been produced on fine paper and beautifully made with profuse usage of gold leaf, gold inks, gold sprays, and clouds to decorate the borders. The detailing to each figure and building are also finely painted, with attention to detail on the vestments and kimono patterns, the courtyards and mansion halls, and even shading techniques used on the gardens and greenery. The fukinuki yatai technique is used here as well, where we can see beyond the roof of the buildings where individuals may be residing.
From the Muromachi to Mid Edo Period, Nara Ehon were produced in both booklet and scroll format, typically drawing from tales of the Otogi-zōshi, regular scenes of life, and other sources. There is a theory that they were created by Buddhist sculptors such as those at Kofuku-ji Temple in Nara, but the name was created after the Meiji period, and the relationship to Nara is unknown.
The manuscripts are written on very fine torinoko paper, and in a beautiful, calligraphic, script, having been signed and dated Kosho 2, or 1456.
There is a rather broken wooden box to accompany the set, preserving the contents.
Three illuminated manuscripts in quarto (23.9 x 17.5 cm), 26, 25, 24 leaves
These manuscripts are in poor shape, with worm tracks to all three bindings, heaviest to the third, with the first volume being in a detached state. There are some worm tracks throughout as well, more to the margins.