A Great Classic of Japanese literature and the masterpiece of novelist Ihara Saikakunow in a completely new and revised edition with introduction by noted scholar David J. GundryThe culmination of Saikakus perceptive genius, the 20 short stories within This Scheming World recount raucous events and incidents on New Years Eve as everyone tries to settle their debts for the year, as is the New Years custom. Crafty money lenders attempt to collect their money from equally crafty debtors, and Saikaku portrays his characters with so lifelike a touch that, even though three centuries have passed since his time, it seems as if they were our contemporaries.The new Introduction by Saikaku expert David J. Gundry explains how and why this entertaining work still resonates with modern readers today.The finelycrafted tales include stories ofPhilanderers who slip off to hide in the homes of their mistressesHustlers who leave town suddenly on "very important" business tripsConnivers who become actors for a day to hideinplainsight on stage"The New Years Eve is more precious than a thousand pieces of gold. It is the Great Divide between winter and spring, which none can pass over without copper and silver." Ihara Saikaku

Binding: Paperback;192 pages; Publisher: Tuttle Publishing; Classification: DQ; Weight: 296 g; Dimensions: 130 x 203 x 13

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