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 important Edo-period woodblock-printed encyclopedia presenting a visual and literary compendium of historical, religious, and legendary figures from Japan and China.
This volume opens with the depiction of a noble scholar dressed in court robes, followed by a series of finely printed illustrations of emperors, monks, warriors, and sages, each accompanied by biographical annotations in elegant kanbun-style script.
Scenes portray philosophical dialogues, moments of devotion, and mythic encounters between humans and celestial beings — a synthesis of Confucian, Buddhist, and Shinto imagery that shaped Edo intellectual life.
The illustrations are executed with superb woodblock precision in sumi ink, showcasing the refined linework typical of mid-19th-century printing.
Printed on handmade washi paper and bound in fukurotoji format with its original indigo-blue cover, the book exemplifies the aesthetic harmony of Edo craftsmanship — balancing textual study and visual art.
Volumes such as this served as educational and artistic guides for scholars, painters, and monks who studied the moral virtues and visual symbolism of Japan’s great cultural heroes.
The presence of seals and inscriptions adds depth to its historical value, marking it as a genuine artifact from Japan’s flourishing print culture.
Collector’s Note
A superb Edo-period woodblock volume combining art, literature, and philosophy, Kokin Wakan Manpō Zensho immortalizes Japan’s legendary figures through graceful illustration and scholarly text.
Each page reflects the Edo pursuit of beauty through learning — an essential piece for collectors of Japanese manuscripts and art history.
