Illustrated filial piety classic - antique Japanese woodblock books, Edo 1813, set of 2

Ehon Kokyo. Antique Japanese woodblock-printed book set. Edo period, 1813. Complete set of 2 volumes. Illustrated by Kitao Masayoshi, also known as Keisai. The date Bunka 10 (1813), the 2-volume format, and the Owari publisher Katano Toshiro are confirmed in university and library catalog records.

This is an illustrated edition of the Confucian classic Kokyo, devoted to filial piety, family duty, and moral conduct. It belongs to the didactic and educational book culture of late Edo. Fukuoka University describes it as a Japanese explanatory edition of the classic text with reading aids and commentary, while Tokyo Gakugei University classifies this edition within the educational tradition.

A notable feature of this edition is its visual program. Fukuoka University records 38 internal illustrations by Keisai; with the colored opening leaf and frontispiece, the book contains about 40 printed images in total. The imagery includes Confucius, Zengzi, and scenes of filial conduct from Chinese and Japanese tradition.

This is the early 1813 bibliographic line, distinct from the later edition associated with Takai Ranzan and Hokusai. Waseda and related catalog records list these as separate entries. For the 1813 edition, the text author is not securely established in the university description.

Confirmed in major academic and catalog sources, including Waseda University, Kyoto University, and Fukuoka University.

Condition

Antique condition. Natural age-related wear is present, including paper toning, signs of time to the cover and edges, and general handling wear consistent with an authentic old Japanese book. Please review the photos carefully.

Size

Size of each volume (approx.): 23 x 16 cm.

Shipping

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For US buyers

This item enters the United States duty-free.