A beautiful early Meiji-period woodblock-printed book from the landmark historical 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) — two major cultural figures of the Meiji Restoration.
Published by Enjudō (延壽堂) in Tokyo in Meiji 9 (1876), this Volume 7, Part 1 (七編 上) depicts the turbulent years following the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate, focusing on uprisings and regional conflicts that shaped early modern Japan.
The opening pages feature finely hand-colored woodblock illustrations, portraying figures such as Itō Shinpei and Shima Yoshio in dramatic scenes that blend samurai tradition with emerging Meiji realism. Each character embodies Japan’s struggle between past and future — between the warrior’s code and the modernization of society.
Text is printed in dense vertical columns on handmade washi paper, with classic fukuro-toji (stab binding) and an embossed green cover. The printing style — crisp, uniform, and elegant — reflects the craftsmanship of early Meiji bookmaking, when publishers still used hand-carved blocks before the full adoption of movable type.
The Meiji Taiheiki series was issued under official publication license (“官許”), reflecting the government’s endorsement of its patriotic and moral themes. As such, each volume provides both a literary and political window into Japan’s national self-image during its rapid modernization.
This copy remains in remarkably good condition, with vibrant color illustrations and clear printing throughout. A superb collector’s item for those interested in samurai culture, Meiji Restoration history, and 19th-century Japanese woodblock printing.
