Goshozakurabaishoroku - 1

I wrote about Takahide several times,

and will write more.

But I would like to show other things

than my majoring.

There were a kind of books called "Gokan".

They were story telling book

whose each page was accompanied with woodcuts.

They were easy to read since few Kanji were used.

The woodcut illustrations were sophisticated and beautiful.

The book, named "Goshozakurabaishoroku",

was written in the Edo period.(exactly in 1860s)
I am going to translate it into English.

The name "Goshozakurabaishoroku" is consist of several words.

"Gosho" means the Court.

"Sakura"("Zakura") is cherry trees or blossoms.

"Bai"(="Ume") is plum trees or blossoms.

"Sho"(="Matsu") is pine trees.

"Roku" means records or stories.

So, the rough translation is

"The Story of Cherry, Plum and Pine in the Court".

Three plants represent three characters,

you will notice in the story.

The picture on the right is the jacket.

Gokans were usually sold in jackets like this.

The next entry will be the biginning of the story.