古今和漢萬寶全書 (Kokin Wakan Manpō Zensho) — The Complete Collection of Treasures, Ancient and Modern, Japanese and Chinese — is an extraordinary Edo-period woodblock-printed volume dedicated to the art of calligraphy, seals, and scholarly instruments.
This elegantly printed book reveals the sophisticated world of the Edo literati (bunjin) — the scholars, monks, and artists who practiced calligraphy and painting as a form of moral cultivation.
Its pages feature hundreds of finely carved seal impressions (hanko), alongside detailed notes in kanbun-style script describing classical Chinese and Japanese inscriptions, writing tools, and brush techniques.
The opening illustration depicts a symbolic hand holding a calligraphy brush, followed by meticulously arranged examples of seal designs, square and circular monograms, and engraved characters representing families, poets, and schools of thought.
Together, these create a visual archive of East Asian intellectual culture, bridging the disciplines of ink, brush, and philosophy.
Bound in traditional fukurotoji format, with an indigo-blue washi cover and its original title slip, this volume embodies the aesthetic ideals of Edo-period scholarship — clarity, balance, and reverence for tradition.
Printed with fine black sumi ink on handmade mulberry paper, it stands as both a technical manual and an artwork in itself.
This edition, preserved in remarkable condition for its age, represents a rare convergence of art and learning — an invaluable witness to Japan’s cultural dialogue with classical China.
Collector’s Note
A superb Edo-era reference work on calligraphy and seals, Kokin Wakan Manpō Zensho captures the refined taste of Japan’s literati.
Its pages preserve the artistry of brush and ink, revealing how writing, philosophy, and beauty were considered inseparable pursuits in Edo intellectual life.
