Garakuta Library - Garakuta Bunko

A literary magazine for fellow writers. It was first published in May 1885 (Meiji 18) and ceased publication in October 1889. It was the organ of the Kenyusha Society, which included such writers as Ozaki Koyo, Yamada Bimyo, Ishibashi Shian, Iwaya Sazanami, Kawakami Bizan, Emi Suiin, and Hirotsu Ryuro. At first, it was a handwritten and circulated magazine by Koyo and Bimyo, and the content had a strong playful tone, including humorous prose, kyoka, and dodoitsu, but in response to the trend of literary reform at the time, it moved towards creating modern, realistic literature. As the number of fellow writers increased, it changed to a typeset, non-sale format in November 1886, and then became publicly auctioned in May 1888, and the first issue was released. The magazine was renamed Bunko from issue 17 in March of the following year, and was published by Yoshioka Bookstore, but ceased publication after issue 27. After Bimyo's withdrawal (1888), Koyo took the lead, and introduced a succession of Suzuriyuu members to the literary world, as well as publishing short stories by Koda Rohan and Awashima Kangetsu. The magazine is particularly notable for its exploration of novel styles, such as Bimyo's colloquial style and Koyo's gazoku-setchu style.

[Yasushi Oka]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

文芸同人雑誌。1885年（明治18）5月創刊、89年10月廃刊。尾崎紅葉(こうよう)、山田美妙(びみょう)、石橋思案(しあん)、巌谷小波(いわやさざなみ)、川上眉山(びざん)、江見水蔭(すいいん)、広津柳浪(りゅうろう)ら、硯友社(けんゆうしゃ)の機関誌。初め紅葉、美妙による筆写回覧雑誌で、内容も戯文、狂歌、都々逸(どどいつ)などをも含む遊戯的な色調が濃厚であったが、文学改良の時代風潮に応じ、近代的な写実文学の創造に向かった。同人が増加して86年11月活版の非売本形式に変わり、さらに88年5月から公売となり返り初号を出した。翌年3月の同第17号から『文庫』と改題、吉岡書籍店より発売されたが、第27号で廃刊。美妙の脱退（1888）後は紅葉が中心で、硯友社員を相次いで文壇に登場させたほか、幸田露伴(ろはん)や淡島寒月(あわしまかんげつ)の短編なども掲載した。本誌では美妙の言文一致体、紅葉の雅俗折衷(がぞくせっちゅう)体など、小説文体の模索がとくに注目される。

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