{"product_id":"junishi-to-zei-shin-hanashi-zen-new-story-of-the-zodiac-signs-circa-1825-1880-an-extremely-rare-illustrated-manuscript-depicting-anthropomorphized-monsters-and-beasts-based-on-the-zodiac-a-tale-not-recorded-in-kokusho","title":"Jūnishi tō zei shin Hanashi Zen (New Story of the Zodiac Signs), Circa 1825-1880. An Extremely Rare Illustrated Manuscript Depicting Anthropomorphized Monsters and Beasts based on the Zodiac, A Tale Not Recorded in Kokusho","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eTitle:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #5f6368; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eJūnishi tō zei shin Hanashi Zen (New Story of the Zodiac Signs), Circa 1825-1880. An Extremely Rare Illustrated Manuscript Depicting Anthropomorphized Monsters and Beasts based on the Zodiac, A Tale Not Recorded in Kokusho\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Very Good\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eA Late Edo to Early Meiji Period, 19th century manuscript entitled Jūnishi tō zei shin Hanashi Zen, or a New Story of the Zodiac Signs. As the title would entail, it is a tale of anthropomorphized monsters and beasts based on the creatures of the Zodiac calendar, milling about in different roles within Japanese society.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eThis manuscript appears to be a wholly unique and extraordinarily rare work, as no comparable example, printed or handwritten, seems to exist on Kokusho holdings. Though there is always the chance it can be found under a different wording.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eThere are 30 pages of black and white pen and ink illustrations throughout, with two-page spreads, each depicting the creatures of the Zodiac in different occupations and scenes. From Nezumi (rats) putting on a performance and in their celebratory kiminos, to Yagi (goats) at the red light district seeking to pay for the services of a geisha, Ushi (oxen) battled in the garb of samurai, and more, this manuscript is a truly unique and original tale, providing representations of what each Zodiac creature might be like had they walked among the people of Edo Period Japan in an anthropomorphic form.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eOne manuscript in 12mo (15.5 x 12 cm), 15 leaves \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';\"\u003eThis manuscript is in very good shape, with heavy rubbing and wear to the covers. There is light, scattered staining, and the lower right corners and worn. \u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"That Guy With The Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51632564076855,"sku":null,"price":2400.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0281\/1589\/4371\/files\/20251219_171828.jpg?v=1769894797","url":"https:\/\/thatguywiththebooks.com\/products\/junishi-to-zei-shin-hanashi-zen-new-story-of-the-zodiac-signs-circa-1825-1880-an-extremely-rare-illustrated-manuscript-depicting-anthropomorphized-monsters-and-beasts-based-on-the-zodiac-a-tale-not-recorded-in-kokusho","provider":"That Guy With The Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}