Title: Nise Murasaki Inaka Genji (Fraudulent Murasaki's Bumpkin Genji), 1829-1842. A Near Complete Set of Ryutei’s Parody of the Tale of Genji, 68 Books in 34 of 38 Ezoshi Booklets, with Hundreds of Full-Page Woodblock Illustrations
Author: Tanehiko Ryutei; illustrated by Utagawa Kunisada
Publisher: Senkakudō
Condition: Fair
A Late Edo Period, early 19th century edition of Ryutei’s Nise Murasaki inaka Genji, or Fraudulent Murasaki's Bumpkin Genji, an unfinished parody of the Tale of Genji. This work was first printed in the 12th year of the Bunsei Period, completed by the 12th year of the Tenpo Period.
Instead of the Heian Period, the story is instead set during the Muromachi Period. The narrator is O-Tofu, a woman from Shikibu-koji in Nihonbashi, Edo, who begins her narration after visiting Hitomaru Shrine in Teppozu and taking up her pen in a temporary residence on the second floor of a stonemason's shop.
In order to restrain Yamana Sozen, who was aiming for the shogun position, Mitsuuji, the illegitimate son of Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa, pretends to be a lustful man like Hikaru Genji, and gradually recovers the valuable treasures of the Ashikaga clan that Sozen had stolen and hidden. At the same time, he takes refuge in Suma and Akashi, where he keeps the Yamana forces in the west in check, and after plotting to destroy Sozen and his allies, he returns to Kyoto, becoming the Shogun's guardian, reaching the height of his glory.
The first half of the work is written as a mystery novel in which Ashikaga Mitsuuji, the equivalent of Hikaru Genji, uncovers the hidden plot of Yamana Sozen, but from chapter 22 and onwards, it is a faithful adaptation of The Tale of Genji.
There are hundreds of woodblock illustrations throughout, many forming double page illustrations.
Of the 38 chapters within this work in booklet form, chapters 22, 22, 29, and 30 are missing. 18 volumes in a combined volume.
These chapters have all been rebound into booklets with decorated and golden papers, with floral designs. The Ukiyo-e covers have not been preserved
34 of 38 chapters as 68 books bound into 18 ezoshi booklets in 12mo (17.8 x 11.8 cm)
These volumes are in fair shape, with worm tracks throughout, heavy to most volumes.