Jochu michi shirube [Guide to becoming a female attendant]

MANUAL FOR WOMEN WORKING IN HIGH RANKING HOUSEHOLDS. NOT IN OCLC.

First edition. 5 vols. 24 woodblock printed plates. Yokohon, 188 x 128 mm. Fukurotoji binding, original blue paper wrappers, restitched and title slips partly missing, some supplied in manuscript, chipping and wear to wrappers, minor staining and wear internally, generally a good set preserved in a chitsu folding case. Complete as issued. Kyoto, Ogawa Tazaemon, Shotoku 2 [i.e. 

The first edition of this illustrated guide to becoming a female attendant (jochu) to a high-ranking household. 

 

Though the term jochu has derogatory connotations in Japan today, in the Edo period it was a respectable title for female attendants who served in the most prestigious households. With this came a variety of formalities, which are outlined in the present set. The first volume explores conventions, household titles and marriage customs that ladies-in-waiting would be expected to know. Illustrations in this volume include a marriage procession as well as a newlywed couple sailing into the distance. The second volume shifts focus towards the appearances of a jochu; how to apply makeup, which type of nioibukuro perfume pouch to use and hair styling tips, including the cosmetic uses of whale blubber. A rather touching illustration in this volume shows women getting ready together. The third volume delves into childbirth, such as  what to do if the lady of the house gives birth to twins, while the fourth lists conversations points and intellectual matters of study and reading that would be expected from a jochu. The fifth volume provides culinary advise, including recipes for making vinegar and hishiho, a type of miso made from a mix of soy beans and barley. The illustration in this volume shows a group of jochu working hard in the kitchen. Specific terminology is also recurring theme throughout, for example the reader is informed that instead of the word fufu for a married couple, one must use the word imose. 

 

The publisher Ogawa Tazaemon was founded in the early Edo period, around 1644, first publishing books on the themes of Buddhist theology. From 1712, when the present set was published, Ogawa expanded into didactic books on specific societal roles, as well as illustrated practical guides, both of which were immensely popular. As such, this is one of the first Ogawa books of this genre. A similar book was published in 1796 under the title Onnichi yo taizen [On women's daily necessities], with extracts from vols. 2, 3 and 5 of the present set.

 

One point of intrigue is the multiple layers of use. A previous (most likely female) owner has written manuscript poetry on both endpapers of the first volume (themes of rain and fukikusa). Additionally, manuscript notations on the read endpaper of the fifth volume indicate that the books have passed through several generations of ownership – one note is dated Ansei 6 [1859], while another is dated Tenpo 12 [1841], with different names attached.

 

Rare. Held institutionally in Japan, but no copies recorded in OCLC.

Stock Code: 252500