Tsuga Teisho (都賀庭鐘)
Teisho TSUGA (male, 1718 - circa. 1794) was a yomihon writer, Confucian scholar, and physician during the middle of Edo period. He was a good calligrapher, painter, and seal engraver. Unlike the conventional Ukiyozoshi in those days, his yomihon "Shigeshigeyawa" was under so strong influence of the Chinese text that it clearly shows its original. It is said that Akinari UEDA was enlightened by the originality of Teisho's yomihon and authored "Ugetsu Monogatari." Accordingly, Teisho TSUGA is regarded as a pioneer of early modern yomihon writers.
Brief Biography
He was nicknamed Kosei, and went by the name Rokuzo. He used pseudonyms (appellations) of Gyojin TAIKO, Shin ikan, Kinro gyoja, and aliases of Jissenkaku shujin, Omi gyoja, Senri roshi, Teiteitei itsujin, Dododo shujin, Sokyo shujin, and Kamei sanjin.
He was born in Osaka. Around the age of 17, he began practicing the tea ceremony under the master Ryuho OEDA in Kyoto and kept a teacher-pupil relationship for long years. He studied calligraphy and seal engraving under Mosho NIIOKI, and medical science under Shuan KAGAWA.
In 1743, at the age of 26, he started a medical practice in Osaka. In his 20s, he wrote 30 texts including "Hanabusasoshi," "Shigeshigeyawa," and "Hitsujigusa" under the influence of Chinese novels popular in those days.
In 1772, at the age of 55, it is said that he started teaching medical science to Akinari UEDA.
In 1778, at the age of 61, he proofread "Nihon Honkoku Kokijiten," which was a reprint of "Kokijiten," and wrote 'Honkokujo.'
(it is called 'Anei Bon'.)
In 1779, at the age of 62, he handed over his house to his son Tairiku, and began living in retirement in Oimatsu-cho (present Nishitenma, Kita ward, Osaka City), then around 1783, he moved to Dojimahama (present 1-chome.)
1794, when he was 77 years old, is the last year of records found about him.
His son Tairiku TSUGA also became a physician and wrote yomihon.
His works
"Kokon Kidan Hanabusasoshi" (1749)
"Tsuzokuio Gibaden" (1763)
"Kokonkidan Shigeshigeyawa" (1766)
"Kyoshisen" (compiled) (1766)
"Shimeizen" (1771)
"Hokotakusetsu" (1780) (obiter dictum of proofreading "Kokijiten")
"Kokonkidan Hitsujigusa" (1787)
"Yoshitsune Banjakuden" (1806)
Chinese books printed in Japan
"Nansanshi" in "Binsho" written by Kyoen KA (1751)
"Kan No Ni" in "Kaikanissho" written by Li Zhaowu (1755)
Compilation of seal marks
"Zentomefu," prefaced by Rangu ITO and proofread by Kagaku MAKI (1741)
"Kankishofu" (1791)