Ehon Nankōki – Volume 4 – Edo Period Japanese Illustrated Samurai Book – 絵本楠公記 編巻之四 - B171

This rare Edo-period Japanese woodblock-printed book is Volume 4 of Ehon Nankōki (絵本楠公記), a celebrated illustrated chronicle recounting the life, battles, and unwavering loyalty of the legendary samurai Kusunoki Masashige.

Originally published as a multi-volume illustrated narrative, Ehon Nankōki blends historical storytelling, moral instruction, and dramatic woodblock imagery, making it one of the most important warrior-themed books of the late Edo period.

Content Highlights

• Volume 4 (編巻之四) of the original series
• Dynamic black-ink woodblock illustrations depicting:

1. Samurai battles and military campaigns
2. Courtly and strategic scenes
3. Landscapes, temples, and dramatic seascapes

• Text printed in classical Japanese, arranged in traditional vertical format
• Decorative borders and illustrated frames characteristic of Edo narrative books

Historical Significance

Kusunoki Masashige is revered in Japanese history as the ultimate symbol of loyalty and honor. Works such as Ehon Nankōki were widely read during the Edo period to reinforce Confucian values, bushidō ethics, and imperial devotion.

Details

• Format: Softbound Japanese stitched book
• Printing: Woodblock print on handmade washi paper
• Completeness: Complete as Volume 4 only (from a multi-volume set)

Ideal For

• Collectors of Edo-period illustrated books
• Japanese samurai & military history enthusiasts
• Scholars of Kusunoki Masashige and loyalty narratives
• Interior display, archive collections, or museum reference
• This is an original Edo-period artifact, not a reproduction.