An authentic handwritten Edo-period Japanese merchant ledger (帳簿 / chōbo), composed in beautiful flowing kuzushiji cursive script with sumi ink on handmade washi paper.
This elongated yokobon-style account book records transactions, names, and numeric tallies, likely used by a merchant or village official during the late Edo to early Meiji period (c.1840–1870).
Such documents formed the backbone of Japan’s pre-modern commercial world — tracking rice exchanges, loans, village taxes, or merchant accounts with incredible precision. Each page reveals careful brush calligraphy, showing totals circled and annotated in Edo-period style.
The cover displays bold brush kanji, perhaps the shop name or record title, painted with expressive Edo-era calligraphic flair.
Bound by hand with natural fiber cord, this ledger reflects Japan’s practical yet artistic approach to documentation, where handwriting itself was a reflection of discipline and reputation.
During the Edo era, merchants (chōnin) and village headmen (nanushi) kept extensive ledgers for rice, sake, textiles, or loan transactions.
These handwritten account books — called chōmen or daifukuchō — were essential in managing trade before modern banking existed.
Each page offers a glimpse into the economic rhythms of Edo society, revealing the artistry and precision of Japan’s merchant culture.
This rare surviving document is a genuine handwritten artifact of Japan’s merchant history, offering a tangible connection to Edo commerce and rural administration.
It is ideal for collectors of Japanese manuscripts, calligraphy, or economic history, and for researchers studying kuzushiji handwriting or Edo-era accounting practices.
