Vintage Japanese Meiji Era 1875 Elementary School Primer, RARE

Details

Authentic early Meiji-period Japanese elementary school textbook, published in July 1875. Titled Shōgaku Nyūmon Benran ("Elementary School Beginner's Handbook"), this rare educational volume was produced during the formative years of Japan's modern public school system.

The book is illustrated with charming woodblock-printed instructional pages, including original hand-colored plates. The color charts were printed from woodblocks and hand-colored, a feature far less common than black-and-white examples. The book also contains illustrated vocabulary pages depicting everyday objects, plants, animals, tools, and people, reflecting the innovative teaching methods introduced during Japan's educational reforms.

Retains its original fukuro-toji (bound-pocket) stitched binding and the original paper title label on the cover, both uncommon survivals despite the book's age.

A scarce and historically significant example of early Japanese educational printing, appealing to collectors of Meiji-era books, woodblock printing, and Japanese history.

Condition: Complete with all pages present. Original binding intact. Covers show wear, soiling, foxing, rubbing, and edge wear consistent with age and use. The title label is worn but remains attached. Interior pages exhibit expected age toning while retaining bright hand-colored illustrations and printed text.

Dimensions

Approximately 5" x 7"

Moth