Yonekura Masakane ?? ??? — ömara Kômara ??????. ????

1979. Yonekura Masakane ?? ??? Ômara Kômara ??????. ????. Tokyo. Mirai K?b?. Showa 54 [1979]. A 10.5 x 8.5 cm western bound book in black cloth housed in a yellow slipcase with title and author on front and spine. Signed by the author. Numbered 528 in a limited edition of 600. Although not a miniature book by Western standards, this small book is considered a mame ehon. Japanese text with 16 outrageous illustrations of two males, one thin and one fat, the former who is well endowed, the latter who is not, and the dilemmas that the state and size of their members impose. Following in the Japanese tradition of the Gesaku genre, the tone is silly and mocking and the book is created solely for the amusement of the reader. A nod, perhaps to the well-known T?kaid?ch? Hizakurige ??????? [Shank's Mare], a comic work about the misadventures of two friends travelling along the T?kaid?, published in multiple volumes in the early 1800s. Yonekura Masakane ?? ??? (1934 - 2014) was a multi-talented illustrator, author, actor and director who was prolific across many fields in the arts. Very good condition.?. .