Nihon Kibon (日本紀聞) | Edo Period Japanese Illustrated Book | Handwritten & Woodblock Printed - B180

This original Edo-period Japanese book, titled Nihon Kibon (日本紀聞), is a compelling example of popular historical and moral literature circulated in late Edo Japan.

The book features a mixed production style, including:

• Woodblock-printed text pages
• Extensive handwritten calligraphy
• Hand-colored narrative illustrations
• Interior genre scenes depicting daily life, domestic spaces, and social interaction

Such hybrid books were commonly used for didactic reading, storytelling, and entertainment, and were often read aloud or shared within households.

Artistic & Cultural Features

• Hand-colored illustrations in traditional Edo palette
• Interior scenes (tatami rooms, scholars, attendants, domestic rituals)
• Expressive line work typical of late Edo narrative books
• A blend of printed and manuscript elements, adding uniqueness to each copy

This combination makes every surviving example slightly different, increasing its historical and collector value.

Literary Context

Nihon Kibon belongs to a broad genre of Edo popular narrative and anecdotal literature, focusing on:

• Moral lessons
• Human relationships
• Social conduct
• Historical or semi-historical episodes

Such works bridge the gap between scholarly texts and ukiyo-e visual culture.

Details

• Format: Traditional Japanese bound book (fukuro-toji)
• Printing: Woodblock print + handwritten text
• Illustrations: Hand-colored
• Language: Classical Japanese
• Paper: Handmade washi
• Binding: Original Edo binding