A rare Meiji 8 (1875) woodblock-printed historical volume from the Official Meiji Taiheiki (明治太平記), written by renowned author Murai Gensai (村井弦齋) and illustrated by celebrated artist Sensai Eitaku (鮮齋永濯).
This book is Volume 6, Part 2 (六編 下), published by Enjudō (延壽堂) in Tokyo, and bears the mark 官許 (official approval) — confirming it was authorized by the Meiji government.
While Part 1 of Volume 6 focuses on modernization scenes, this second half shifts into political upheaval, samurai uprisings, and the internal conflicts shaping early Meiji Japan.
Inside, the reader finds:
Historical Narrative
Japan’s post-Boshin War reorganization
Rebellions, regional conflicts, and political struggles
The transition of samurai into the new Meiji military and bureaucracy
Murai Gensai’s detailed eyewitness-style commentary on early Meiji governance
Woodblock Illustrations
A dramatic black-and-white illustration of samurai soldiers confronting and arresting rebels — drawn with dynamic movement typical of Sensai Eitaku.
Printed using traditional fukurotoji (stab-binding) on handmade washi paper, the book retains its original embossed green cover, characteristic of early Meiji publishing.
This volume offers a vivid view into the turbulence and transformation that defined the dawn of modern Japan — making it an exceptional piece for collectors of:
