Shunshoku umegoyomi

Shunshoku umegoyomi (1832–33), translated as "Spring Colours: The Plum Calendar," is a work by Tamenaga Shunsui. It is categorized as gesaku, or "playful composition," a style prevalent in the late Tokugawa period of Japanese literature.1

The novel tells the story of Tanjirō, a young man known for his exceptional handsomeness but lacking in effectiveness. Various women vie for his affections. Tamenaga Shunsui defended his work against accusations of immorality, stating that his female characters, despite appearances, possessed deep sentiments of chastity and fidelity. This defense reflects a common practice among gesaku writers, who often claimed didactic intent for their compositions, regardless of their frivolous nature.1

Shunshoku umegoyomi is an example of the popular fiction of its time, which often substituted the raciness of daily speech for classical elegance and relied on illustrations for public appeal. This style contrasted with more serious works like yomihon, which, despite also being classified as gesaku, incorporated historical materials and emphasized moralistic themes.1