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Saikaku was born heir to a major merchant household in [[Osaka]], and went on to become head of the household and of the family's commercial operations. However, after the death of his wife, he allowed the head clerk of the business to oversee operations, devoting his own time to poetry, literature, and adventures in the [[Shinmachi|pleasure quarters]]. He was an active member in local cultural circles, and often took part in poetry circles and social gatherings; on one day in [[1684]], he engaged in a sort of fun challenge, in which he composed 23,500 verses of ''[[renga]]'' poetry in a single 24-hour period at the [[Sumiyoshi Shrine]] in Osaka.
Saikaku was born heir to a major merchant household in [[Osaka]], and went on to become head of the household and of the family's commercial operations. However, after the death of his wife, he allowed the head clerk of the business to oversee operations, devoting his own time to poetry, literature, and adventures in the [[Shinmachi|pleasure quarters]]. He was an active member in local cultural circles, and often took part in poetry circles and social gatherings; on one day in [[1684]], he engaged in a sort of fun challenge, in which he composed 23,500 verses of ''[[renga]]'' poetry in a single 24-hour period at the [[Sumiyoshi Shrine]] in Osaka.
His book ''Kôshoku ichidai otoko'' ("Life of an Amorous Man") is said to have had a particularly significant impact on Japanese publishing. Prior to the 1680s, the Kamigata (Osaka & Kyoto) and nascent Edo publishing worlds were quite separate. However, after ''Kôshoku ichidai otoko'' was first published in Osaka in [[1682]], it was so popular that within two years, it was being published by Edo publishers, with alterations. The original Osaka publication was a large-sized ''ôban'' book, but it was now being published in Edo in the smaller ''hanshibon'' size, often with the title changed, with different illustrated inserts, or with other changes made; and this was done with Edo publishers receiving no permission, and keeping all the profits. At the same time,
Many of his books remain prominent examples of Edo period literature today, and in their original publications included illustrations by many of the most prominent ''[[ukiyo-e]]'' artists of that time, including Hishikawa Moronobu, [[Yoshida Hanbei]], and [[Nishikawa Sukenobu]].
Many of his books remain prominent examples of Edo period literature today, and in their original publications included illustrations by many of the most prominent ''[[ukiyo-e]]'' artists of that time, including Hishikawa Moronobu, [[Yoshida Hanbei]], and [[Nishikawa Sukenobu]].
