One scroll.
A later reproduction of the original printed in Koan 8th
year (1286).
At the close of the scroll is seen a remark in the following
sense.
"Nyudo Dainagon (Senior Councillor of State who took
the vows of tonsure), begs respectfully to present this 17article Constitution, which has been honorably promulgated
by the Sacred Prince (Shotoku Taishi), together with the
supplication which I (no name mentioned) am herewith
registering, devoutly praying for its fulfilment. March, Koan
8th year (1285). "
The original blocks from which this scroll was printed
are still preserved at the Horyu-ji temple, near Nara.
Only a few remarks are necessary to explain this famous
17-article Constitution of Prince Shotoku, the first written
law setting forth the fundamental Principles of government
in Japan. It was composed in the 12th year of the reign of
Emperor Suiko (604), and one of the greatest charters of
government in Japanese history. It is a compound of the
three great systems of political, religious and ethical thought
that is, Indian, Chinese and Japanese. It begins by inculcat
ing the importance of "harmony" and urging reverence for
the "three treasures," and goes on to define the relations
between the sovereign and people, and to enjoin various
virtues for the officials and people, with warnings against
such vices as malice, envy, gluttony, etc. It concludes by
suggesting the evil of dictatorial arrogance, but instead counselling the wisdom of consultation and deliberation one with
another before taking decisions. The three treasures referred
to are understood to include "Buddhism" (religion), "law"
(natural law) and "ecclesisticism" (moral principles), which
are thought to cover the whole truth of the universe.
(B b 2)TENMON BAN RONGO
The Confucian Analects: Tenmon (1532-1554 A.D.) edition.
Two Books.
The oldest and most widely circulated of the Chinese
classics, the Analects, or Rongo in Japanese, contains the
words and acts of the great sage. This book is a copy of
the edition printed by one Asaiya Sozui, a citizen of Sakai,
near Osaka, during the Tenmon era (1532-1555). It contains
a sort of epilogue written by Kiyohara Nobutaka, a famous
Confucian scholar of those days.
(B b 3)MOSHI, OR "THE BOOKS OF MENCIUS"
From Vol. 1 to Vol. 14. Five books.
Being a production of the Muromachi period, some of
them bearing written notes with dates not later than 1572.
The Works of Mencius are composed of remarks of the
sage, written down by his pupils. Mencius, the first disciple
of Confucius, laid the foundation of the famous Sung philosophy, so called. His works, together with the Confucian
Analects, the Great Learning, and the Book of the Doctrine
of the Mean, constitute the "Four Books," which occupy the
foremost rank in Chinese literature. They were early introduced into Japan, exerting an inestimable influence on the
Japanese minds. The Works of Mencius, however, have not
been in as great a favor with the Japanese people as the three
other books because of the democratic tendency of some of
Mencius's doctrines.
(B b 4)CHUYO, OR THE BOOK OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE MEAN
One book.
The book embodies moral discourses, expounding the
doctrine of the golden mean, being numbered among the four
sacred books of ancient China. It was introduced into Japan,
simultaneously with the propagation of the Shushi school of
Confucian philosophy.
(B b 5)SHICHISHO, OR THE SEVEN BOOKS
Seven books.
Being printed in Keicho type in 1643.
At the end of each book is an epilogue, written by the
priest Genkitsu, in the 11th year of Keicho (1606), saying
that it was published at the order of the first Tokugawa Shogun, Iyeyasu.
(B b 6)RIKUYU ENGI( SIX PRECEPTS ELUCIDATED)
Printed in two volumes in 1721.
It contains moral precepts delivered by the Emperor
Kang Hsi of the Ching dynasty (1616-1912), classified under
the following six categories: 1, affectionate obedience to one's
parents; 2, respect for one's seniors or superiors; 3, peace and
amity among one's neighbors; 4, education of children; 5,
laws of well-being; 6, commit no sins. These precepts were
written out at large in an easy, popular style by Hanko for
the instruction of the populace. A copy of the book, brought
to Japan by an envoy of the Luchu islands, Teijunsoku
by name, and was reprinted. 0f this reprint one copy was
presented to the Lord of Satsuma, who in his turn, presented
it to Yoshimune, the Shogun.
(B b 7)KANKOKU RIKUYU ENGI TAI-I
Officially printed version: Notes on Rikuyu Engi).
Translated by Muro Kyuso, and printed in 1722.
This is a copy of the book translated by Muro Kyuso, the
famous Confucian scholar in the service of the Tokugawa
Shogunate, at the order of the Eighth Shogun Yoshimune.
(B b 8)ZEN KANJO, OR THE FIRST BOOKS OF HAN DYNASTY
(Vol. 2, 5, 34, 35 are missing.) Fifty one books including
the catalogue (or contents).
Printed in Kan-ei type.
The Books bear the date November 21, 1628.
The Books of Han, so called, consisting of 120 volumes,
are the history of the Han dynasty. Later, the "Latter Books
of Han," the "Books of Chin," and the "Books of Sung" were
published after this model. It was in emulation of the "Books
of Han" that the "First Books of Han" were published. They
were among the earliest Chinese books to be introduced into
Japan, and have been widely read as text books for Chinese
classics.
(B b 9)SHIN-KAN AZUMA KAGAMI
Vols. 22 and 23.
Being printed in Keicho type.
This is an officially-inspired "diary" of the Kamakura
feudal government, recording the chief events from the time
of Yoritomo's rising in Izu province in 1180 to 1266, and is
an invaluable mine of information concerning the manners
and institutions of the Samurai class of those days. Iyeyasu,
evidently impressed with the high importance of this book,
had it reproduced in the 1Oth year of Keicho (1605).
(B b 10)JUSEN WAKAN KO-TO HEN-NEN GO-UN-JU
(Chinese-Japanese Imperial Chronological Annals).
Two books.
Printed in Keicho type.
It is a comparative chronological table showing the historical events of Japan and China since the time of the
accession of the first Emperor, Jimmu, to the 16th year of
Keicho (1611) in the reign of Emperor Gomino Tenno.
(B b 11)GOSEIBAI SHIKI-MOKU
(The Book of Justice).
One Book.
This is a book of law, containing the rules of conduct
set by Hojo Yasutoki, the administrative head of the Hojo
Government. This is important work, as viewed from the
history of legislation, especially that pertaining to the life
and conduct of the samurai class.
(B b 12)GUNSHO-RUIJU (MISCELLANEOUS WORKS CLASSIFIED)
Vol. 29. Three books.
Being a part of the famous work of Hanawa Hokinoichi
the great blind scholar, entitled "Jin-no Seito Ki," (Annals
of the Legitimate Imperial Line), by Kitabatake Chikafusa
the loyalist champion of the Southern Court.
(B b 13)DENGYO DAISHI SHORAI MOKUROKU (CATALOGU OF BOOKS BROUGHT HOME FROM CHINA BY DENGYO DAISHI)
One book.
Printed by Judo-in monastery, Mount Hiei, Kyoto, in
the 4th year of Bunka (1804). This is an inventory of the
Buddhist books which Denkyo Daishi, the great Japanese
priest, had brought home from his long sojourn in China, and
at the head of the book may be seen the date, 24th of Enryakuji
(805).
(B b 14)SHOBO-ZAN MYOSHINJI SHUHA-ZU (THE GENEALOGY OF MYOSHIN-JI TEMPLE, SHOBO-ZAN)
One book.
Is reprinted in the 3rd year of Manji(1660) by Daiyu-in
and carries the preface, written by Michitada in the 10th
year of Genroku (1697).
(B b 15)SHOSHU BUTSUZO ZU-I (COLLECTION OF BUDDHIST IMAGES OF VARIOUS SECTS)
From Vol. 1 to Vol. 3. One book.
It carries a written remark by Shigetsuken Gizan, dated
3rd year of Genroku (1690).
It is a collection of pictorial representations of various
Buddhas and founders of various Buddhist sects and also of
some tools and instruments of worship.
(B b 16)BANKOKU JINBUTSU-ZU (PORTRAITS OF PEOPLE OF VARIOUS NATIONS)
Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. Two hooks.
The author is Nishikawa Enbaiken, Nagasaki.
The preface by Rhuzenso (1714).
Published in 1720 by Enbaiken, Yedo.
Being pictorial representations of natives of forty two
nations, beginning with the Chinese of Ming dynasty, with
explanatory notes.
(B b 17)JYLJTEI KAITAI SHINSHO DOBAN ZENZU (COPPERPLATE DRAWINGS OF HUMAN ANATOMY NEWLY PREPARED)
One sheet.
Prepared by Sugita Genpaku, (famous medical scholar
versed in Dutch).
Reproduced by Tenshinro.
Reprinted by Shirando.
Reprinted by Senshobo.
Published in the 9th year of Bunsei (1826).
This is a reproduction in Japanese of a Dutch original,
representing the anatomy of a human body.
(B b 18)KOKON INKAI KOYO
From Vol. 8 to Vol. 10. One book.
Being a reprint after the model of a Chinese book of
the Yuan period (1281-1368). It bears some writing which
sets the date of production on March in 5th year of O-ei
(1398).
The book is a collection of verses, "old and new," of the
Yuan period with some explanatory notes.
(B b 19)SEISEN TO-SO SENKA RENJU SHIKAKU (COMMENTARY ON THE ONE THOUSAND POEMS BY MASTERS OF TANG AND SUNG PERIODS)
From Val. 13 to Vol. 16. One book.
Republished in Japan probably during Kanbun era
(1661-1673).
(B b 20)TOSHISEN KOKUJKAI (SELECTED TANG POEMS, EXPLAINED AND COMMENTED ON IN JAPANESE)
Vol. I to Vol. 11. One book.
Explained by Hattori Nanko.
Written by his pupil, Hayashi Genkei.
Toshisen is the wellknown selection of Tang poems, as
made by the Ming scholar, Ribanryu. This book of Japanese
commentary was the work of Hattori Nanko, a pupil of Ogyu
Sorai, who was deeply versed in Chinese literature and poetry,
and it was written out by one of his pupils. The explanation
was so lucid and diction so simple that the book commanded
great popularity at the time. Nanko died in 1759, 77
years old.
(B b 21)TOSHISEN SHOKO (NOTES ON SELECTED TANG POEMS)
Vol. 1 to Vol. 7. Two books.
Written by Yogenshi.
Meiwa 5th year (1768) edition.
This is a commentary on Toshisen, and contains a remark
by Hattori Nanko, and an epilogue by Ogyu Sorai.
(B b 22)REKIDAI DAIGA SHIRUISHO (COLLECTION OF POEMS ATTACHED TO PICTURES OF VARIOUS AGES)
Vol. 1 to Vol. 3. One book.
Selected by Nishijima Rankei.
Bunka 14th (1817) edition.
It contains short poems, selected from a large number of
poetic effusions attached to the old scrolls of pictures of
various periods from Tang and Sung to Yuan and Ming periods.
And these are classified under 29 categories according to
subject matter, such as geography, climate, scenery, etc.
