Product Details

Case 047 — THE BOOK THAT STOPPED TRANSLATING A remarkable complete 10-volume Japanese woodblock-printed set of the Western Han portion of Tsūzoku Ryōkan Kiji by Shōkōken Kian. Early Edo period, with the author’s preface dated Genroku 12 (1699). Traditional blue paper covers, Japanese thread bindings, and extensive printed katakana reading aids. Modern scholarship identifies this work as an important turning point when Japanese writers began moving beyond straightforward translation of Chinese historical fiction toward deliberate Japanese literary adaptation, helping prepare the way for later Edo-period yomihon. All ten Western Han volumes have been individually examined and confirmed to reach their proper endings. Exact printing state remains unresolved; a documented 1703 issue is also known. Includes the complete Rare Book Detective Case 047 portfolio documenting the investigation and findings.