18th C. Japanese Edo Paper & Ink Ledger Book

**Originally Listed At $250**

East Asia, Japan, Edo period, ca. 18th century CE. A massive paper and ink ledger book known as a daifuku-cho, with a braided hemp tassel intended for merchant use. The ledger is constructed with hundreds of long rectangular pages that are bound at the top with cotton threads. The tassel acts as a suspension loop and is tied to the binding threads. When a ledger was completed the tassel could then be looped on a rope with other ledgers that could be quickly gathered up if there was a fire or emergency. Each page has columns of writing in black ink and sections are marked with separate pieces of paper that protrude from the side, acting like index markers. Usually the bold characters on the front contained the words "daifuku cho" which translates to "good fortune;" a phrase that would hopefully create prosperous business transactions within the ledger. This is meticulous tome of record keeping! Size: 4.75" L x 5.25" W x 13" H (12.1 cm x 13.3 cm x 33 cm)

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#145276
Condition Report: Paper sheets show discoloration and staining. Chipping and losses to title characters. Old inactive worm holes. Tightly bound with some minor fraying to end of tassel. Creasing and tearing of pages. Large size!