An exceptional historical record from the dawn of modern Japan — this is Volume 17 of Meiji Taiheiki (明治太平記), authored by Murai Shizuma (村井弦齋) and published in Meiji 12 (1879) by Shorin, Tokyo.
The Meiji Taiheiki series chronicles the dramatic military and political transformations that reshaped Japan in the late 19th century. This particular volume focuses on the Satsuma Rebellion (1877) — the final and most famous uprising of the samurai, led by Saigō Takamori, against the newly formed Imperial government.
Within these pages are detailed woodblock-printed illustrations depicting the burning of Kumamoto Castle (熊本城焼失の図) and naval warfare scenes, rendered in the emerging Meiji pictorial journalism style that bridged traditional ukiyo-e and modern illustration. The text, printed in kanbun (classical Japanese prose), recounts the bravery, tragedy, and ideological clash that marked the end of Japan’s feudal era.
Produced during Japan’s rapid modernization, this book represents both a literary and artistic witness to the Meiji Restoration — combining the aesthetic of Edo-period storytelling with the historical immediacy of contemporary reportage.
Each page is printed on handmade washi paper and bound in the traditional fukuro-toji (stab binding) style with the original green embossed cover intact. The printing quality and condition of the paper are remarkably well-preserved for its age, with only light wear consistent with 19th-century production.
Original Meiji-era Taiheiki volumes such as this are extremely scarce, particularly those featuring complete illustrated battle scenes. A rare acquisition for collectors of Japanese history, Meiji prints, and samurai culture.
