Tanrokubon

A bibliographic term. Refers to illustrated woodblock prints published in the early Edo period with illustrations that were colored with a brush. The illustrations are roughly colored in three or four colors, such as crimson, green, and yellow, and the contents include military chronicles such as "Hogen Monogatari" and "Heiji Monogatari," Kōwakabukyoku (dance music for the young generation), Otogizoshi (fairy tales), kanazoshi (stories written in kana), sermons, and old jōruri (traditional Japanese puppet theatre). The prevailing theory is that it was influenced by hand-colored Western publications, but there is also talk of a connection with Buddhist prints and Chinese brush-colored books. In the Meiji period, it was called "Edoribon," and the name "Tanryokubon" became common around the end of the Taisho period. The simple colors, which are thought to have been applied by artisans of illustrated scrolls, have a mysterious charm and are loved by many fans.

[Goya Jinbo]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

書誌用語。江戸時代初期、挿絵に筆で彩色を加えて刊行された絵入りの版本をいう。挿絵に丹(に)、緑、黄など3種ないし4種の色を大まかにつけたもので、内容は『保元(ほうげん)物語』『平治(へいじ)物語』などの軍記物、幸若舞曲(こうわかぶきょく)、御伽草子(おとぎぞうし)、仮名(かな)草子、説経、古浄瑠璃(こじょうるり)などである。西欧の手彩色の刊本に影響されて成立したとする説が有力であるが、なお仏教版画や中国の筆彩本との関係も説かれている。明治に入って「ゑどり本」の名でよばれ、丹緑本の名称の一般化したのは大正末年ごろからである。絵草紙(えぞうし)屋の職人などが着彩したと思われる素朴な彩色は、不思議な魅力をたたえて、愛好者も多い。

［神保五彌］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例