Souvenirs from Saikaku

Ihara Saikaku's Ukiyo-zoshi. In the winter of 1693 (Genroku 6), his disciple Hojo Dansui compiled Saikaku's first posthumous manuscript collection into five volumes and five books. The first edition is believed to have been published by Fujiya Chobei of Osaka. At the beginning of the book, it features a portrait of Saikaku and his death poem, as well as memorial haiku by Jotei, Gonsui, Dansui, and others. As Saikaku's preface states, "The life of love is known to almost everyone, and the end of their lives is unparalleled," the book is made up of 15 short stories that depict people who have fallen into the world of love and fallen to the bottom of society. While depicting the tragic end of a wealthy man who has fallen into poverty, it contains a masterpiece that depicts the beauty of the heartbreaking feelings of a man who continues to persist despite his downfall, such as "People should think of me as a stick-shaking insect" in volume 2. This work can be evaluated as showing a unique world born from a state of mind similar to the resignation of Saikaku in his final years.

[Akira Asano]

"Complete Works of Japanese Classical Literature 40: Ihara Saikaku Collection 3" (1972, Shogakukan), annotated and edited by Yasutaka Teruyoshi and others; "Complete Works of Saikaku 15: Souvenirs Left by Saikaku" (1977, Meiji Shoin), annotated and edited by Isotsu Aso and Akio Fuji

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

井原西鶴の浮世草子。1693年（元禄6）冬、西鶴の第一遺稿集として門人北条団水(だんすい)が5巻5冊に編集した。初版は大坂・富士屋長兵衛版と推定される。巻頭に西鶴の肖像と辞世の句、如貞(じょてい)、言水(ごんすい)、団水らの追善発句を載せている。西鶴の序文に「凡(およそ)万人のしれる色道のうはもり、なれる行末あつめて此(この)外になし」とあるように、色道に身を持ち崩し、ついに社会の底辺に落ち込んだ人間たちの姿を描いた15話の短編からなる。無残にも零落した大尽(だいじん)の末路を描いているなかで、巻2の「人には棒振虫同前に思はれ」のように、落ちぶれてもなお意地を張り通すせつないまでの心情の美を、しみじみと描いた佳作を含んでいる。西鶴最晩年の諦観(ていかん)にも似た心境から生まれた独自の世界を示す作品として評価できる。

［浅野　晃］

『暉峻康隆他校注・訳『日本古典文学全集40　井原西鶴集　3』（1972・小学館）』▽『麻生磯次・冨士昭雄訳注『対訳西鶴全集15　西鶴置土産』（1977・明治書院）』

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