Nansō Satomi Hakkenden (南總里見八犬傳) — The Tale of the Eight Dogs of the Satomi Clan of Nansō — stands among the great masterpieces of Edo-period literature.
Written by Kyokutei Bakin (曲亭馬琴) over nearly three decades (1814–1842), it weaves an epic narrative of loyalty, honor, and karmic virtue, deeply rooted in Confucian and Buddhist moral ideals.
This volume (No. 11) is a late Edo-period woodblock-printed edition, featuring fine vertical calligraphy and a remarkable illustrated double-page spread depicting samurai characters in expressive poses.
Printed on washi handmade paper and bound in fukuro-toji (traditional side-stitch) format, the book retains its embossed crimson cover and title slip, hallmarks of Edo-era publishing.
Each of the eight dog-born heroes embodies one of the Confucian virtues represented by the character 犬 (inu, dog) in their names, uniting in a saga of courage and faith spanning generations.
This timeless tale of destiny and righteousness influenced kabuki theater, ukiyo-e prints, and early modern Japanese storytelling.
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Title: 南總里見八犬傳 (Nansō Satomi Hakkenden)
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Volume: 第十二巻 (Volume 11)
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Author: Kyokutei Bakin (曲亭馬琴, 1767–1848)
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Illustrator: Utagawa Kunisada (歌川国貞)
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Edition: Late Edo woodblock printing (幕末版, ca. 1850–1868)
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Printing: Woodblock on handmade washi paper
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Binding: Fukuro-toji (side-stitched)
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Cover: Deep crimson embossed paper with printed title slip
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Language: Classical Japanese with kanji-kana mixture
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Origin: Japan
Hakkenden is the longest and most ambitious samurai novel of the Edo era, blending spiritual allegory with thrilling narrative.
Its heroic figures and moral themes became a foundation of Japanese popular culture, inspiring countless adaptations in theater, art, film, and manga.
This Edo woodblock edition captures the artistry and craftsmanship of pre-modern Japanese publishing, with each impression carved and printed by hand.
An exceptional historical artifact representing Edo storytelling, Confucian ethics, and ukiyo-e visual tradition.
