Samurai anecdotes, war tales, Japanese history - antique woodblock books, Edo 1846, set of 5

Jozan Kidan. Antique Japanese woodblock-printed book set in five volumes.
Late Edo period, 1846.
Compiled by Yuasa Shinbei.
Published by Suharaya Mohei, Nihonbashi, Edo.
This is a complete set of five volumes from a larger multi-volume edition.

This set belongs to Jozan Kidan, a well-known Japanese historical anecdotal work centered on warriors, retainers, strategy, conduct, and memorable episodes from the military culture of earlier Japan. Rather than functioning as a continuous novel, it gathers short and medium-length accounts that move between martial history, character portrait, practical wisdom, exemplary behavior, and striking episodes preserved in warrior tradition.

The appeal of the work lies in this dense anecdotal structure. The books bring together stories of samurai resolve, judgment under pressure, loyalty, reputation, military intelligence, sudden reversals, severe decisions, and the moral atmosphere surrounding men of rank and service. For a modern reader or collector, the set is valuable not only as an Edo-period printed object, but also as a compact entry into the narrative world of warrior memory and historical storytelling.

This set is especially attractive because the dating and publishing line are clearly established in the books themselves. The fifth volume retains the colophon dated to the fifth month of 1846, naming Yuasa Shinbei as compiler and Suharaya Mohei of Edo as publisher. That gives the set a firm bibliographic anchor and makes it more than a decorative survival - it is a securely attributable Edo woodblock edition.

Antique condition. Antique works may show natural signs of age, including toning, small creases, minor edge wear, and traces of handling, so please review the photos carefully.

Size (approx.): 18 x 25 cm

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Protective packaging.

For US buyers: this item enters the United States duty-free.