A rare Meiji 8 (1875) illustrated woodblock-printed book from the official series Meiji Taiheiki (明治太平記), written by Murai Gensai (村井弦齋) and illustrated by Sensai Eitaku (鮮齋永濯), published by Enjudō (延壽堂) in Tokyo.
This Volume 2, Part 1 (二編 上) covers the opening battles of the Boshin War (戊辰戦争), notably the Battle of Ueno and the conflicts in Kyoto and Osaka, marking the turning point between the old shogunate and the rising Imperial forces.
The book opens with a stunning hand-colored double-page illustration portraying the chaos of modern warfare: cannon fire, charging infantry, and clouds of smoke — an extraordinary blend of ukiyo-e composition and Meiji realism that conveys the violence and urgency of Japan’s transformation.
The text is beautifully printed in vertical woodblock format on handmade washi paper, with the original green embossed cover and stab binding (fukurotoji) intact. The paper’s texture and preservation quality highlight the refined printing standards of early Meiji publishing.
Meiji Taiheiki was produced under government license (“官許”) as an official chronicle of the Meiji Restoration, blending history, propaganda, and art to celebrate the Emperor’s victory and the new age of modernization.
A remarkable piece for collectors of samurai history, Meiji Restoration literature, and antique Japanese woodblock-printed books.
