This book will become an indispensable reference, not only for students of Edo literature but also for those who have an interest in Japanese culture in general. Asian Studies Review [This] will serve as the standard anthology for some time to come. Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies There has quite simply never been a collection like this one. It's an experience not to be missed, and it will give pleasure to many. -- Thomas Rimer, author of The Columbia Anthology of Modern Japanese Literature This volume provides a cornucopia of early modern Japanese texts, from high to low, the cool reason of philosophy and literary criticism to 'hot' fiction for popular consumption, Rai Sanyo's history to Chikamatsu's historical drama, kanshi to haiku, autobiography to ghost stories. On the basis of this volume alone, one can mount a comprehensive course in Edo literature. -- Sonja Arntzen, University of Toronto