WOODBLOCKS, Japanese.

Three woodblocks from the same work, two of which are carved on both sides.

. [Kyoto]: Zeniya Sōshirō 銭屋総四郎, Preface dated 1808.

Woodblocks are invaluable historical artifacts in East Asian history, serving as key instruments in the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. The printing process involves brushing ink onto the carved surface, pressing a sheet of paper onto it, and rubbing it with a printing pad or brush to transfer the inked negative impression.

The present woodblocks (each 215 x 455 mm.) are from the 1808 edition of Sorai sensei bunshū kai 徂徠先生文集解 [Teacher Sorai’s Collected Writings Described by Gō] by the late Edo-period scholar and literatus Gō Nanun 江南蘊.

Ogyū Sorai 荻生徂徠 (1666-1728) “was one of the foremost Japanese scholars of Chinese culture and a leading Confucianist. Ogyū stressed the pragmatic application of Confucianism to promote social and political reforms by means of uniform, rational laws.”–Britannica. His collected writings, published in 1736, were used by Gō as a basis for the present work.

These woodblocks — Part One, leaves 17-18, Part Two, leaves 11-12, and Part Two, leaf 45 — display carving techniques designed to bring attention to certain phrases and text.

In fine and fresh condition.