Deployment of the “Tale of Shigure” : With a focus on books of the Hōsabunko type

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Other Title
  • 『しぐれ』物語の展開 : 蓬左文庫本系統を軸として

Abstract

This paper discusses the text development in the “Tale of Shigure.” By focusing on the Hōsabunko books, in particular, I explain the specific transformation from dynasty story tex ts to Muromachi story texts. “Shigure” is a Muromachi tale that was influenced by “Shinobine,” a medieval dynasty tale. Although more than 30 editions exist, four main edition types can be distinguished. The first comprises picture scrolls with a postscript of Eisho 10 (Group D); the second is a group of manuscripts with a postscript of Eisho 17 (Group A); the third is a group of Tenri Library manuscripts (Group B); and the fourth is the Hōsabunko book type (Group C). Of these editions, Group C is positioned as a peculiar text that was significantly different from the popular editions. However, as research on “Shigure” has progressed in recent years, it is necessary to reconsider its position as a text displaying transitional characteristics between editions. In this paper, first, by examining the four types of text, I show that the composition of the Eisho scrolls and other editions is different. Whereas the Eisho scrolls have a complicated story structure, the other books simplify the content by replacing the articles and making the storyline easier to understand. I also point out that the original articles found in the Hōsabunko type are remnants of Eisho scrolls and state that a form of C-type text preceded the B-type text. In addition, I focus on textual expressions. In the Hōsabunko books, the characters’ expressions in the Eisho scrolls become medieval expressions, although they inherit conversational and emotional expressions. In the A type and B type, such expressions are truncated and produce only an outline as a story. Based on these facts, I explain the process whereby the story gradually changes from the D-type dynasty story text to the abridged outline texts of other books. In addition, I point out that the Hōsabunko type is positioned as a transitional text in which the old form is retained and changed to a new expression.

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