Shuko Jisshu (????)[Assembled Antiquities in Ten Categories].

Ikubunsha, Tokyo: Sakurai Shokichi, 1903-05 (Meiji 36-38).. Complete in 21 vols. 8vo (22.75 x 15.5 cm). Uniform stitch bound yellow floral patterned cloth, with white paper title labels. Originally published in 1800. Text in Japanese. Profuse woodblock illustrations throughout, some in red ink. English titles in blue ink to pastedowns of some volumes in a modern hand. A very good set with slight toning to some covers, contents generally clean and fresh. Subdivided into the following categories: 1. Collection of Ten Kinds of Antiquities Index (????) (1 vol.) 2. Copper Vessels (?????) (1 vol.) 3. & 4. Seals of Emperors, Government Departments, and Eminent Historical Personages (?????, ?????) (2 vols.) 5. & 6. Musical Instruments, Stage & Noh Masks (????? , ?????) (2 vols.) 7. - 10. Details of Samurai Armour (????1, ????2, ????3, ????4) (4 vols.) 11. Horse Equipment (?????) (1 vol.) 12. & 13. Japanese Swords and Archery Equipment (?????, ?????�?????) (2 vols.) 14. & 15. Bell Inscriptions (?????, ?????) (2 vols.) 16. & 17. Stone Tablet Inscriptions (?????, ?????) (2 vols.) 18. Famous Pictures and Writings (??????�?????�???????) (1 vol.) 19. & 20. Portraits of Emperors and Eminent and Historical figures (???????, ???????) (2 vols.) 21. Portrait Inscriptions & Writing Gear (??????�?????) (1 vol.) 'Shuko jisshu (Assembled Antiquities in Ten Categories), is a comprehensive visual record of ancient objects (kobutsu) first published in eighty-five volumes in 1800. It includes detailed drawings and rubbings of 1,859 objects divided into ten categories: inscriptions, bronze bells, weapons, bronze ware, musical instruments, writing tools, seals, signs, portraits, and old paintings. This encyclopedic assemblage was published under the supervision of Matsudaira Sadanobu, the daimyo of Shirakawa and the chief senior councillor of the shogunate (r. 1787-93). 3 Members of his team included the artists Tani Bunch� (1763-1840), Sumiyoshi Hiroyuki (1755�1811), and Kita Busei (1776-1857)as well as the kokugaku and Confucian scholars Yashiro Hirokata (1758-1841) and Shibano Ritsuzan (1736-1807). This project required numerous research trips and more than a decade to complete. Shuko jisshu is a visual record; the notations only state the name of the object, its location, and sometimes information about the size and material. According to Timon Screech, Sadanobu's purpose was to compile a complete archive of the visual deposit or history. This was one of multiple encyclopedic projects by Sadanobu, who had a well-trained team. In one report, Shibano Ritsuzan explains the instructions given to the team members; they had to check Buddhist images, relics, wooden sculptures of the patriarchs and learned monks, and any treasured item or book; the titles on the covers and boxes had to be verified against the testimony of the temple monks (Pradel, pp. 200-209)'. (Pradel, Chari, 'Portrait of Prince Shotoku and Two Princes: From Devotional Painting to Imperial Object').