Meiji 1893 “Kanbun Dictionary” by Asano Yasuhiko 朝野泰彦 – Red Ink Edition Published by Bunkaidō & Sanshōdō – Tokyo Meiji Period Japanese-Chinese Reference Book-B71

A rare Meiji 26 (1893) edition of 朝野泰彦 (Asano Yasuhiko)’s Kanbun (classical Chinese) reference manual, published in Tokyo by 文魁堂 (Bunkaidō) and 三松堂 (Sanshōdō).
This compact volume features red-ink preface pages and dense vertical movable-type printing, providing an essential tool for students and teachers studying Chinese characters, pronunciation, and meaning in Japanese context.

Printed with fine woodblock or early movable type, the book organizes kanji compounds, Buddhist terminology, Confucian references, and classical expressions.
It served as a kanbun-jiten (漢文辞典)—a learning companion for reading Chinese texts and Buddhist scriptures during Japan’s modernization era.

The presence of the Bunkaidō vermilion seal and red-ink introduction indicates a special edition, possibly for official or ceremonial use.

• Title: 朝野泰彦 編『漢文指南』 (Kanbun Shinan, “Guide to Chinese Writing”)

• Author: 朝野泰彦 (Asano Yasuhiko)

• Publisher: 文魁堂 (Bunkaidō) / 三松堂 (Sanshōdō)

• Publication: Meiji 26 (1893), Tokyo

• Language: Classical Chinese with Japanese reading marks

• Format: Small-format fukurotoji bound book, vermilion preface pages, black ink body text

• Contents: Chinese-Japanese vocabulary, Buddhist and Confucian lexicon, classical citations

During the Meiji era, Japan rapidly modernized its education system, but classical Chinese (kanbun) remained the core of elite learning.
Reference manuals like this one bridged traditional Confucian scholarship and modern linguistic study, allowing students to read and interpret classical Chinese prose accurately.
The red preface section reflects the publisher’s prestige, possibly marking it as an edition intended for ceremonial, temple, or academic presentation.