An exceptional Edo-period illustrated geographical compendium titled Kaisei Shokoku Dōchū Bunkan Daisōroku (改正諸国道中分間大雑録), meaning “Revised Great Encyclopedia of Provinces and Roads of Japan.”
This rare woodblock-printed volume serves as both a map book and cultural encyclopedia, combining detailed cartography, heraldry, and literary commentary. It contains finely engraved double-page maps of major cities and regions—including Kyoto, Osaka, and Matsushima Bay—alongside illustrations of landscapes, temples, and famous scenic spots (meisho).
Each section includes annotations on provincial crests, domains, roads, and landmarks, providing insight into the geography and governance of Japan during the late Edo era. Printed in kanji and kana, with decorative borders and vivid linework, this book embodies the aesthetic and documentary richness of Edo-period knowledge.
An invaluable artifact for collectors of Japanese maps, woodblock books, or early travel literature, representing a world before modern cartography.
