Title: Genji Monogatari Kogetsu Shō (The Tale of Genji, Lake Moon Collection), 1673. A Famously Annotated Edition of This Famed Poetic Work, with Printed Marginalia and Commentary. 49 of 60 Volumes
Author: Lady Murasaki Shikibu; Commentary by Kitamura Kigin
Condition: Very Good
An Early Edo Period, late 17th century edition of the Genji Monogatari Kogetsu Shō, also known as The Tale of Genji, the Lake Moon Collection. A commentary on The Tale of Genji written by Kitamura Kigin, it consists of 60 volumes in total, 55 volumes being "The Tale of Genji” and five additional volumes being records, genealogy information, and more. The name Kogetsu Shō comes from a legend in " The Origin of the Tale of Genji" that Murasaki Shikibu began writing "The Tale of Genji" from the volume of " Suma " after visiting Ishiyama-dera Temple and seeing the moon floating over Lake Biwa.
The work features the entire text of The Tale of Genji, with marginal notes alongside and headnotes written above by Kigin for added commentary. In addition to asserting his own theory, the book also includes previous opposing theories, and explains almost everything from the basics onwards, so that even those without prior knowledge of The Tale of Genji can understand it with just this set.
For this reason, it is said to have been the most widely circulated edition and commentary of The Tale of Genji throughout the Edo period , and it was so influential that it was said by Ikeda Kamekan that until the first half of the 20th century (when academic editions such as The Tale of Genji Taisei were produced), the time came when The Tale of Genji was read through Kogetsu Shō.
This set is incomplete, containing only 49 of 60 volumes.
49 volumes in folio (28 x 19 cm)
These volumes are in very good shape, with some rubbing and wear to the bindings, and two of the covers being more damaged, several lacking title labels or with labels partially peeling away. There is very little foxing or soiling to most of the volumes throughout, with only a few showing scattered signs of staining.