A remarkable example of Edo-period printing, this woodblock-illustrated historical book is titled 絵本補玄記 (Ehon Hogengi), “Illustrated Supplement to the Genki Chronicle.”
This fifth volume (巻之五) continues a richly detailed narrative of imperial and courtly life, portraying scenes of aristocrats, officials, and attendants in elegant architectural and garden settings.
Printed in the late Edo period (ca. 1840–1860), the book blends historical storytelling with ukiyo-e–style woodblock illustrations, a hallmark of narrative art that celebrated Japan’s classical past.
The delicate linework, atmospheric architectural interiors, and refined characters reveal the hand of a Kyoto or Osaka publisher specializing in historical and literary works.
Title: 絵本補玄記 巻之五 (Ehon Hogengi – Volume 5)
Translation: Illustrated Supplement to the Genki Chronicle
Date: Late Edo period (c. 1840–1860)
Technique: Hand-carved woodblock printing on handmade washi paper
Content: Aristocratic court scenes, imperial audiences, and Heian-style narratives
Format: Fukurotoji (traditional Japanese stitched binding)
Publisher: 金屋五兵衛版 (Kanaya Gohei, Kyoto)
Language: Classical Japanese
The Ehon Hogengi series is a masterpiece of Edo historical illustration, bridging the gap between narrative literature and visual art.
It reflects the fascination of late Edo readers with Japan’s ancient courtly traditions and the continuity of imperial culture through image and text.
For collectors of ukiyo-e books, emakimono narratives, and early Japanese historiography, this volume represents an authentic artifact of Meiji-era transition aesthetics.
