This antique Japanese book, 松島図誌 (Matsushima Zushi), is an illustrated topographical and cultural guide to Matsushima, one of Japan’s legendary “Three Most Scenic Views.”
Originally written in 1821 (late Edo period) by the scholar 櫻田周輔 (Sakurada Shūsuke), this edition was beautifully reprinted during the Meiji 20 era (1887), preserving the classical woodblock-style layout and illustrations of the earlier original.
The book offers a detailed exploration of Matsushima’s landscape, islands, historical temples, and natural wonders. Richly illustrated with scenic panoramic prints, botanical drawings, temple sketches, and finely printed text, it reflects the traditional Japanese travel culture before modern tourism existed.
Contents
Inside, the book includes:
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Panoramic landscape illustrations of Matsushima Bay
- Descriptions of famous islands, shrines, and temples
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Historical accounts and local folklore passed down through generations
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Botanical drawings of regional plants
- Notes on geography, culture, and religious sites
- Edo-period style calligraphy and decorative pages
- Publisher colophon and Meiji-era reprint details
The mixture of images and text makes this work both visually beautiful and historically valuable.
Historical Importance
“Matsushima Zushi” belonged to a popular genre of early Japanese travel literature, guiding pilgrims, scholars, and travelers to scenic destinations.
Works like this were essential before maps and photography were common, offering the only visual descriptions available at the time.
This Meiji reprint follows the traditional Edo bindery style, maintaining thick washi-style paper, stitched binding, and classical typography.
