Antique Japanese Confucian Classic “Mencius” (孟子) with Zhu Xi Commentary | Edo–Meiji Era Woodblock-Printed Book | Neo-Confucian Philosophy & East Asian Heritage-B42

Immerse yourself in the intellectual world of classical East Asian philosophy with this antique Japanese woodblock-printed edition of “Mencius” (孟子) — one of the Four Books of Confucianism and a cornerstone of traditional scholarly education across Japan, China, and Korea.

This particular volume is annotated with commentary attributed to the renowned Neo-Confucian philosopher Zhu Xi (朱熹集註), whose interpretations shaped imperial thought and ethical systems for centuries. Printed in the late Edo to early Meiji period, this book embodies a cultural transformation era when classical Chinese philosophy remained deeply influential in the Japanese academic curriculum.

✨ Historical & Cultural Significance

• Text: “Mencius” (孟子) – a deep dialogue on morality, governance, virtue, and the nature of humanity.

• Commentary: Zhu Xi (朱熹集註), a master of Neo-Confucian thought.

• Era: Late Edo to early Meiji (19th century), when Confucian ethics guided both samurai education and national philosophy.

• Printed using: Traditional woodblock printing on mulberry-based washi paper.

• Binding: Original fukuro-toji (pouch-bound) stitched binding with handwritten title on the cover.

• Language: Classical Chinese (kanbun) with reading marks for Japanese scholars.

A Work That Shaped Ethics & Leadership

The teachings of Mencius on righteous leadership, benevolence, and moral cultivation were central to the intellectual training of scholars and aspiring officials. In Japan, generations of samurai and scholars studied this very structure of annotated texts to understand both political virtue and personal responsibility.

Owning such a volume is not merely collecting a book — it is preserving a piece of intellectual history and philosophical tradition.