Dangibon


The dangibon was a pre-modern Japanese literary genre. Texts were written in a humorous, satirical sermon-style with the purpose of educating the masses. It is type of gesaku.

Developments

Masuho Zankō and Issai Chozan are credited with establishing the early foundations upon which the genre rests. In 1715, Masuho wrote Endō Tukugan, and in 1727 Issai wrote Inaka Sōji. These two texts are early forerunners of the genre. However, the genre is not fully realized until several decades later. In 1752, Jōkanbō Kōa wrote Imayō Heta Dangi, which is identified as the first true example of the dangibon genre.
The genre existed between the 1752 c. 1800, reaching "the height of their popularity in the 1750s." It gradually evolved into the kokkeibon genre at the start of the 19th century.

Major works