Lǐjì (禮記), known in English as the Book of Rites or Record of Rites, is one of the Five Classics of Confucianism, foundational to East Asian thought and moral philosophy.
This Edo–Meiji period woodblock-printed edition represents the scholarly study of rituals, moral conduct, and social harmony as transmitted through Chinese and Japanese Confucian education.
Originally compiled between the Warring States and Han dynasties, the Liji details the structure of ancient Chinese ceremonies, rites, and codes of behavior governing family, governance, and state — expressing Confucius’ vision of ethical order in society.
This Japanese edition, printed in kanbun (漢文) with reading guides (訓点), was used in temple schools and academic institutions (寺子屋・藩校) during the Edo period to teach classical Chinese literature and moral governance.
The embossed brown cover and traditional fukuro-toji binding reflect the refined craftsmanship of the time, with text printed in crisp movable-type or carved woodblocks on handmade washi paper.
A significant artifact of Confucian scholarship in Japan, this book embodies the philosophical bridge between Chinese moral tradition and Edo-period Japanese education.
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Title: 禮記 (Lǐjì, “Book of Rites”)
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Content: Confucian classic on rituals, social order, and moral philosophy
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Language: Classical Chinese (漢文) with Japanese reading marks
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Printing: Woodblock on handmade washi
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Binding: Fukuro-toji (side-stitched)
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Cover: Embossed brown paper with printed title slip
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Date: Late Edo to early Meiji period (c. 1850–1870)
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Origin: Japan
The Lǐjì (Book of Rites) is central to Confucian education, outlining how ethics and ritual sustain harmony within the individual, family, and state.
During Japan’s Edo period, this text shaped the Neo-Confucian moral framework guiding samurai, scholars, and educators.
This Japanese edition preserves the fusion of Chinese classical learning with Japanese scholastic annotation, a hallmark of Edo intellectual history.
It is both a philosophical manuscript and a historical artifact documenting the flow of Confucian knowledge across East Asia.
