万寶全書 (Manpō Zensho) is a superb example of an Edo-period woodblock-printed reference book, dedicated to the study of classical ceramics, vessels, and scholarly utensils.
Produced during Japan’s late Tokugawa era, this manual reflects the cultural dialogue between artisans, collectors, and scholars, combining artistry with encyclopedic documentation.
The book opens with a dramatic title page framed by dragons and clouds, symbolizing wisdom and protection — followed by pages of detailed illustrations of ancient bowls, tea cups, and vases. Each vessel is accompanied by annotations in classical Japanese (kanbun), listing names, origins, and stylistic characteristics, referencing famous kilns such as Daitoku-ji and Raku.
Later sections explore utensil typologies, symbolic motifs, and material classifications, offering a fascinating glimpse into the aesthetics of Edo-period craftsmanship.
Printed in delicate black sumi ink on handmade washi paper, and bound in indigo-blue fukurotoji with its original title slip (daisen), this edition was intended for the educated elite — particularly tea masters, Confucian scholars, and collectors who studied art as a moral pursuit.
Its pages blend visual clarity and textual insight, creating a book that is both a technical manual and a work of art.
Surviving volumes of Manpō Zensho are exceedingly rare. This copy remains in very good condition for its age, with clear printing, intact binding, and naturally aged covers that testify to its authentic 19th-century origin.
Collector’s Note
A precious artifact of Edo intellectual culture, this volume bridges the worlds of art, ceramics, and philosophy.
Its finely printed vessel drawings and poetic inscriptions capture the spirit of wabi-sabi, celebrating beauty in simplicity and the quiet mastery of Japanese craftsmanship.
