This extraordinary Japanese woodblock-printed encyclopedia, 訓蒙図彙大成 (Kunmō Zui Taisei), is a multi-volume natural history compendium originally created during the Edo period as a foundational educational text for children and young scholars.
These encyclopedias were used in temple schools (寺子屋) to teach vocabulary, reading, nature study, botany, zoology, and daily life through detailed illustrations and classical Japanese text.
This copy is an extremely rare multi-volume bound edition, likely combining Volumes 3 to 10+, covering a vast range of natural history subjects.
This type of unified binding was sometimes produced in Edo for school use, but few survive today.
The book features dozens of woodblock spreads with exceptional detail, printed on traditional washi paper and preserved in its original blue Edo cover with sewn binding (和本).
Contents
This encyclopedia includes an unusually rich sequence of illustrated categories:
Marine Life & River Creatures
- Carp, eels, sea bream, trout
- Whales & sea turtles
- Crabs, starfish, sea urchins
- Shellfish, snails, conchs, clams
Insects & Small Animals
- Butterflies, moths, dragonflies
- Cicadas, beetles, grasshoppers
- Spiders, centipedes, worms
- Snails, leeches, frogs, toads
Reptiles
- Several snake species
- Water snakes & forest snakes
Agricultural Plants & Crops
- Barley, rice, millet, sorghum
- Beans, leafy greens, roots
Flowers
- Chrysanthemums
- Lotus and water flowers
- Peonies, lilies, irises
Trees & Forest Vegetation
- Cedar, willow, pine, bamboo
- Flowering trees and shrubs
- Tropical species (sago palm, cycads)
Fruits & Edible Plants
- Persimmon, peach, plum
- Chestnut, citrus, berries
- Gourds, cucumbers, vine fruits
Mushrooms & Wild Plants
- Forest fungi
- Medicinal herbs
- Aquatic plants
Each illustration is accompanied by explanations written in classical Japanese, making this a valuable linguistic and scientific resource.
Historical Significance
Kunmō Zui encyclopedias were essential tools of Edo education.
They represent:
- The earliest forms of Japanese natural science
- Pre-modern taxonomy and species identification
- Ukiyo-e–style woodblock documentation of nature
- Vocabulary training for children
- The foundations of Meiji modern scientific teaching
Because these books were used heavily in schools, most copies became damaged or lost.
A multi-volume bound copy in this condition is exceptionally scarce.
Rarity & Collectibility
This item is highly desirable for collectors of:
- Edo-period natural history
- Japanese woodblock illustration
- Botanical and zoological art
- Early science and educational materials
- Rare 和本 (Japanese sewn-binding books)
- Museum-grade Japanese cultural artifacts
Large illustrated encyclopedias like this rarely appear for sale.
This copy contains hundreds of detailed woodblock illustrations, placing it among the finest surviving examples of early Japanese educational printing.
