Inkyō 韻鏡

Author/compiler: Original compiler uncertain, but commonly attributed to Zhang Linzhi 張麟之, author of preface to the Song edition dated 1197. Imprint: N.p., n.d. [actually a reprint of the original Kyōroku 1 (1528) edition, published in Keichō or Genna period, c. 1600-20] . See under Edition below. 2 lines at end of batsubun, reprinted in the present early-Edo edition, read: 享禄戊子孟冬初一日 ／ 正三位行侍從臣清原朝臣宣賢. Description: 1 kan, 1 satsu. ff. 8 (preface, etc.), 44. 26.1 x 17.9 cm. Fukurotoji. Blockprint. Printing frame 22.8-23.1 x 16.2 cm. Double-line borders with fishtail design on hanshin. Vertical rules in preface; elsewhere, each page divided into squares by horizontal and vertical rules. Kanbun text without printed kunten or reading marks. 10 lines to page (preface), 20 characters to line. Original (?) mid-brown covers, now rubbed and faded. No title slip or gedai. No naidai, other than 韻鑑 at end of preface and Inkyō 韻鏡 at head of batsubun. Hashiragaki: Inkyō 匀竟 + folio no. In a modern brocade chitsu case. Edition: An undated reprint, from newly-cut blocks (fukkoku-bon 覆刻本), of the first Japanese edition of this work published in Kyōroku 1, 1528, by Sōchū Ronshi 宗仲論師 whose name appears in the batsubun written and signed by Kiyohara Nobukata 清原宣賢. The first edition of 1528 was followed in Eiroku 7 (1564) by a revised reprint, using partly re-cut blocks, which repeats the 1528 batsubun but adds a further kango printed in intaglio. The present copy, dating from early Edo period, is modelled closely on the original 1528 edition and not on that of 1564. Both of these editions are classed as Gozan-ban. Contents: An early Chinese phonological work, compiled in late-Tang or Five Dynasties period, consisting of tables of kanji under sounds in the contemporary Chinese language, arranged in systematic order. Published in China in the Song period (original kanki dated 慶元丁巳, 1197, is reprinted after the preface on fol. 1b of the present copy). This work was subsequently lost in China, but was brought to Japan at some time in the Kamakura period.

Unrestricted

Acquired from Kōbunsō, 16 Sept. 1970.

Kenneth Gardner, Descriptive Catalogue of Japanese books in the British Library printed before 1700 (London and Tenri, 1993).A. Chinese works 漢籍 5. Language, including dictionaries 言語・辞書

See no. 53 above. The edition of Eiroku 7 永禄七年 (1564) is illustrated in Kyūkan eifu 旧刊影譜, no. 76, pl. 135-6.