万寶全書 (Manpō Zensho) is an extraordinary Edo-period Japanese woodblock-printed compendium, blending calligraphy, seal carving, Buddhist iconography, and historical illustration.
This elegantly bound fukuro-toji volume captures the intellectual and artistic spirit of 19th-century Japan — a time when calligraphy, poetry, and ink art were intertwined expressions of moral and aesthetic cultivation.
Inside, the book reveals a rich collection of seal designs (印譜 / Inpu), philosophical inscriptions, and vignettes of scholars, monks, and warriors, all meticulously carved into woodblocks.
Among its remarkable pages are depictions of a seated monk in meditative posture, samurai on horseback, courtly scenes, and mythical motifs such as dragons and auspicious clouds — each symbolizing power, wisdom, and virtue.
The accompanying text, written in flowing kanbun-style script, explains the origins, meanings, and artistic techniques behind these designs, making this volume both a technical reference and a spiritual document.
Printed on handmade washi paper and bound in indigo-dyed covers, Manpō Zensho was intended for calligraphers, temple scholars, and Confucian literati, serving as both a model book (tehon) and a moral guide.
Surviving copies of this title are exceptionally rare, often preserved only in private collections or temple archives. The present example remains in remarkably complete condition, with strong impressions and authentic Edo patina — a true artifact of Japan’s artistic golden age.
Collector’s Note
A masterful Edo woodblock compendium that unites spiritual philosophy and graphic artistry, Manpō Zensho stands as both a work of art and a historical document.
Its seals, portraits, and calligraphic pages offer a direct connection to Japan’s monastic and scholarly world — an unrepeatable cultural legacy captured on handmade paper.
