Santo Kyoden

Background

Santo Kyoden was born on September 13, 1761 Ginza, Tokyo, Japan. His family name was Haida and later Iwase, and his given name Denzo. He is the brother of Santō Kyōzan.

Education

Learned samisen music and painting ukiyoe under Shigemasa Kitao. While illustrating kusazoshi or popular novels he became acquainted with their writers, including Shoku-sanjin and Bungyo.

Career

He himself wrote humorous novels including Shogi Kinufurui, Nishiki-no-Ura and Shikake Bunlco at the request of Tsutaya a publisher (1791). The Shogunate authorities considered them indecent and punished Kyoden by keeping him handcuffed for 50 days. It was about this time that he refused the request of Bakin Takarai, noted novelist, to be his teacher.

Kyoden was a witty satirist but stopped writing humorous fiction after he was punished and turned to writing didactic novels.

In 1792, he opened a fancy goods shop on the Ginza, which thrived. His store also sold a patent medicine called Dokushogan.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Katakiuchi Hutatsuguruma (Japanese Edition)
  • Komongawa (Sekiyouteibunko) (Japanese Edition)
  • Fricassée de Galantin à la mode d'Edo (Collection Japan. Serie Fiction) (French Edition)

Connections

His first wife was Kikuzono and second Yuri, both being former courtesans. He died childless after he fell ill while on his way to a party to celebrate the completion of a library of his brother, Kyozan Santo.

Brother:

Santo Kyozan