Ikeda, Tori

[Gyorui Shojin Hayami Kondatecho]

[Kyoto], [Koto Shorin], Tenpo 5 (1834).
Second-hand softcover

[Ikeda, Tori]. [Gyorui Shojin Hayami Kondatecho] [Koto Shorin]: [Kyoto], Tenpo 5 (1834). (125x180mm four hole stab sewn binding, 84 folded leaves, 6 woodblock illustrations. (illustrated by Hishikawa Kiyoharu)

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IKEDA, Tōri. 池田東籬亭.

魚類精進早見献立帳. [Gyorui shōjin Hayami kondatechō] [Fish and Vegetarian Dishes: menus at a glance]

皇都書林 [Kōto Shorin] 京都. [Kyoto] : Yoshinoya Jinsuke, Metogiya Sōhachi. Tenpō 5 [1834].

Original traditional Japanese binding, 130 x 180mm; sea-blue shell relief-moulded heavy card covers, green silk four-hole stab sewing; 84 folded leaves. Six monochrome woodblock illustrations depicting food preparation, service, cooking and dining etiquette.  Covers lightly soiled with small signs of kitchen use, edges rubbed and worn, neat repair to tears in front paste-down; small blemish to first leaf; slight worming to the gutter of the first seven leaves, barely visible and not affecting the text.  In Japanese.

¶   An attractive and uncommon late Edo cookery manual of seasonal fish and vegetarian menus, arranged by month with additional guidance for the four seasons. The introduction presents the work as a practical guide for household meals, banquets and religious occasions, with detailed instructions on the selection and freshness of ingredients, presentation, seating and dining etiquette. Each menu comprises two soups and seven dishes. The numbering system allows individual dishes to be combined to construct menus of three or five side dishes according to occasion. Two indexes and ten principles of cooking and service conclude the work.

Ikeda Tōri (1788–1857) was a prolific author of practical guides and fiction. The illustrations are by the Kyoto ukiyo-e artist Hishikawa Kiyoharu (1808–1877), with the blocks carved by Katō Kansuke and Sofue Kippei.

A valuable record of late Edo culinary practice and domestic dining culture, preserving the organisation of seasonal Japanese meals before the widespread adoption of Western culinary influences.

Scarce. A lovely copy.



¹  Rath, Eric J. Food & Fantasy in early modern Japan. Berkeley : University of California Press, 2010 p.160.
²  Diet Library https://kokusho.nijl.ac.jp/biblio/100346968/1?ln=en

Item #10393

Price: $1,200.00 AUD