『当世百歌仙』の刊行とその周辺

抄録

The aim of this article is to place Tōsei-hyakka-sen, a poetry anthology edited in 1855 by Tada-Kiyooki, in the contemporary historical context for the analysis of cultural factors behind its composition, publication, and reception which provides the key to understanding the poetical scene of the late Edo Period. Tada selected works mainly from the famous Kokugaku and Keien poets because he wanted to make a good anthology for his dead father. Nagasawa-Tomoo, one of the major poet-editors in the age of thematic poetry collections, took an active role in publishing it in Wakayama. The existence of its variant editions reflects political instability in the Kishū domain which caused Nagasawa’s downfall and imprisonment. The anthology contained the works of a hundred excellent poets from all parts of the country after the style of Ogura-hyakunin-isshu; the carefully selected works made it more authentic than any other collection published at that time. In this sense, Tōsei-hyakka-sen pointed to a new direction in literary journalism, for it facilitated the collaboration between the publishing industry and the poetical circles, both mainstream and local, which expanded in number all over the country.