The Study of Chinese Classical Jest Books

This study is based on the Japanese Kanbun (written in classical Chinese) Jest Books of Edo period. Firstly, I researched Jest Books from bibliographical point of view. This research was based on the history, the author and the published age of each Jest Book. Secondly, I tried to analyze each of them. Especially, the work of Yakujyunshouwa (written by Oka-Hakki), the work of Hentan (written by Terazaki-Reishu), the work of Zengiroku (written by Kawamura-Genyu), the work of Zengyakuzuiyaku (written by Reishoudoujin) , the work of Shoudoufukuju (written by Yamamoto-Hokuzan) were punctuated, and translated into classical Japanese and modern Japanese. By this research, I not only clarified the features of each jest and the background of writings, but also found out the characteristics and the literary merits of each Jest Book.