Author Unknown - 大津絵節 Otsu-e Bushi – Rare “Shozui-bon” (Miniature Edo-period Book), Complete in 2 Volumes - 1848

Otsu-e Bushi – Rare “Shozui-bon” (Pocket-sized Edo-period Book), 2 Volumes
Author/Artist: Unknown
Size: approx. 17.5 × 8 cm
Pages: 19 leaves
Period: Late Edo period – around the mid-19th century (Kaei era, 1848–1853)

This set consists of two rare “Shozui-bon”, miniature horizontal-format books featuring Otsu-e Bushi, an illustrated folk song tradition.

The term Shozui-bon refers to “pocket-sized books” from the Edo period.
At a time when Japanese people wore kimono daily, books small enough to fit inside a kimono sleeve (sode) were called Shozui-bon.
They served as portable reading material—much like today’s paperback or mini-sized books.
This charming format adds both cultural and historical value to the item.

Otsu-e Bushi began to be sung in the An’ei–Tenmei era (1772–1788), grew in popularity through the Bunka–Bunsei period, and reached great popularity during the Kaei era (1848–1853), continuing into the late Edo and Meiji periods.
This book is believed to have been produced during this flourishing period.

The interior features lively, multi-colored woodblock prints of demons, performers, musicians, and familiar Otsu-e characters such as Fukurokuju—all rendered in a humorous, spirited folk-art style.

About Otsu-e Bushi

Otsu-e Bushi is a short, entertaining folk song accompanied by the shamisen.
It spread nationwide from the late Edo period through the Meiji era and became extremely popular, often performed as light entertainment at banquets or during yose (vaudeville) performances.
Modern research classifies Otsu-e Bushi as one of the zokkyoku (popular songs), together with forms such as dodoitsu, tocchirichin, ni-agari shinuchi, sanosá, kappore, and Yakkosan.

The name “Otsu-e Bushi” originates from the folk pictures known as Otsu-e, which were originally sold as “Oiwake-e” around Oiwake and Ōtani in Otsu, Ōmi Province.
These paintings became widely known because travelers on the Tōkaidō purchased them as souvenirs.

It is believed that the term Otsu-e Bushi arose when the courtesans of the pleasure quarter in Shibayachō, Otsu, began singing humorous songs based on the themes of Otsu-e around the end of the Genroku era (around 1700).
By weaving the motifs of these popular folk paintings into song, the performers created a lively and memorable musical form that would eventually spread across Japan.

Condition:
An aged antique with wormholes on the cover, general wear, stains, corner losses, and soiling from long-term storage.
Nevertheless, for a delicate miniature book of this type, the internal pages remain comparatively well-preserved.
Please review the photos carefully.

Miniature Otsu-e books rarely appear even in Japanese markets.
This is a highly collectible and scarce Edo-period artifact, ideal for collectors of folk art, Japanese woodblock printing, and Edo cultural history.
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