9.2 Rise of the merchant class and popular literature

The Edo period saw the rise of a new merchant class called chōnin. These urban traders and artisans gained economic power, challenging social norms. They developed a distinct culture in cities like Edo, embracing the hedonistic "floating world" lifestyle that influenced art and literature.

Popular literature flourished as literacy rates increased among merchants. New genres like gesaku (light, humorous works) and kibyōshi (illustrated fiction) entertained urban readers. Serious novels and guides to pleasure quarters also emerged, catering to diverse tastes and educational needs.

Rise of the Merchant Class

Emergence of Chōnin and Urban Culture

Top images from around the web for Emergence of Chōnin and Urban Culture

• 

  Ichikawa Danjuro in the Kabuki Play Shibaraku LACMA M.2003… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Kabuki - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Ichikawa Danjuro in the Kabuki Play Shibaraku LACMA M.2003… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Kabuki - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

Top images from around the web for Emergence of Chōnin and Urban Culture

• 

  Ichikawa Danjuro in the Kabuki Play Shibaraku LACMA M.2003… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Kabuki - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Ichikawa Danjuro in the Kabuki Play Shibaraku LACMA M.2003… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Kabuki - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

• Chōnin represented a new social class of urban merchants and artisans in Edo period Japan
• Gained economic power through trade and commerce, challenging traditional social hierarchy
• Developed distinct urban culture centered in cities like Edo, Osaka, and Kyoto
• Ukiyo ("floating world") emerged as a hedonistic lifestyle embraced by wealthy chōnin
  • Focused on pleasure-seeking activities (kabuki theater, geisha entertainment, brothels)
  • Influenced art and literature, giving rise to ukiyo-e woodblock prints

Literacy and Education Among Merchants

• Increasing literacy rates among chōnin due to economic necessity and cultural aspirations
• Merchant families established private schools (terakoya) for basic education
• Curriculum included reading, writing, and arithmetic for practical business skills
• Higher education pursued through private academies (juku) and public schools (hankō)
• Lending libraries (kashihonya) proliferated in urban areas
  • Provided access to books for a fee, catering to growing demand for reading material
  • Offered various genres including popular fiction, poetry, and educational texts

Popular Literature Genres

Entertainment-Focused Literature

• Gesaku emerged as light, humorous literature aimed at urban readers
  • Often satirical, parodying classical literature or contemporary society
  • Notable authors included Hiraga Gennai and Santō Kyōden
• Kibyōshi ("yellow-cover books") gained popularity as illustrated fiction
  • Combined text and images in a format similar to modern graphic novels
  • Typically featured witty, satirical stories about urban life and culture
  • Koikawa Harumachi's "Kinkin sensei eiga no yume" became a bestseller

Serious and Educational Literature

• Yomihon developed as longer, more serious novels
  • Often based on Chinese historical tales or moral stories
  • Aimed to educate readers while entertaining them
  • Ueda Akinari's "Ugetsu Monogatari" exemplified the genre's literary sophistication
• Sharebon focused on depicting the pleasure quarters and urban lifestyle
  • Provided detailed information about customs, etiquette, and social interactions
  • Served as both entertainment and practical guides for readers
  • Santō Kyōden's "Nishiki no ura" became a representative work of the genre

Printing Technology

Advancements in Woodblock Printing

• Woodblock printing (mokuhan) became the dominant method for mass-producing books
• Enabled wider dissemination of literature and knowledge among urban populations
• Process involved carving text and images onto wooden blocks, then printing onto paper
• Allowed for integration of text and illustrations, enhancing visual appeal of books
• Contributed to the development of distinctive artistic styles (ukiyo-e prints)
• Facilitated the growth of commercial publishing industry
  • Publishers emerged as influential figures in literary world
  • Competitive market led to innovations in book design and marketing strategies