Nippon Tobaku Shi (Chiku Ma Gakugei Bunko)

[Machine Translation] Sugoroku, Chohan, Hanafuda (Japanese playing cards), Fu Kuji (lottery tickets)... Gambling has existed in Japanese society since ancient times. Gambling has existed in Japanese society since ancient times and has captivated people from all walks of life, whether as a social pastime for the aristocracy, a comfort for the warriors in battle, or an outlet for the common people to release their energy. This book recreates on paper a variety of classic betting games that still exist today, forgotten fads of the past, and even the art of cheating. The book is richly illustrated with photographs that show how new forms of gambling have been created one after another behind the scenes, despite the prohibitions imposed by the authorities. By focusing on gambling, a phenomenon essential to the story of human existence, new aspects of the character of the times and the feelings of the people come into view. This is a history of gambling in Japan that has no parallel book.

双六、丁半、花札、富くじ...。賭博は古代より日本社会に存在し、貴族の社交の嗜みとして、武士の陣中の慰みとして、また庶民のエネルギー発散のはけ口として、あらゆる階層の人々を虜にしてきた。本書では、現在もなお残る定番の賭け事から、忘れ去られた昔の流行物、果てはイカサマの技術に至るまでの数々を紙上に再現。権力による禁圧の裏で新たな賭博が次々と生み出されてきた様を、豊富な図版とともに活写する。賭博という人間存在を語るうえで不可欠な現象に着目することで、時代の性格や民衆の感情の新たな側面が見えてくる。類書のないギャンブル日本史。