Ōshimaya Denemon and the Ikedaya Group: Using the Medicine “Musumekō” as a Clue

Abstract

“Musumekō” is a medicine treated by Ōshimaya Denemon. Ikedaya Seikichi and Ikedaya Risaburō, rental bookstores, were involved in sales of this medicine. The relationship between them and Ōshimaya is important not only for selling medicine but also for considering the distribution of books. Based on this relationship that emerged from the sale of “Musumekō,” this study considers the distribution of books in modern times.