{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O65738"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O65738/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006BC9296/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006BC9296/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006BC9296","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2015HN3061","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O65738/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O65738","accessionNumber":"E.14979-1886","objectType":"Book","titles":[{"title":"Ehon Zen Taiheiki","type":"assigned by artist"}],"summaryDescription":"This anonymous 18th-century woodblock printed book, <i>Ehon Zen Taiheiki</i> ('Chronicle of the Great Peace'), illustrates stories from the anonymous 'Gunki Monogatari' (war tales) describing the period of conflict in Japan between 1318 and 1367. \r\n\r\nThis print from the book shows the effective use of the halberd-like polearm, known as the <i>naginata</i>, by foot soldiers against mounted warriors. The weapons and armour of the period are realistically depicted, with all the combatants carrying traditional slung-swords (<i>tachi</i>) and short, guardless swords worn at the waist (<i>koshigatana</i>).\r\n\r\nThis book was produced during the peaceful Edo period (1600-1868), when the samurai had no battles to fight but were expected to maintain their warrior traditions. Books that told of the past glories of the samurai were produced in great numbers and many of the real characters from the tales became the stuff of national legend. They later featured prominently in numerous Noh and Kabuki performances as well as in prose. The samurai represented in those tales of long-past glorious battles represented the ideals of the samurai, namely unflinching bravery and self-sacrificing loyalty. The popularity of these war tales may even have helped foster the development of the samurai code of honour, <i>bushido</i>.","physicalDescription":"Woodblock printed book illustrating stories from the anonymous Gunki Monogatari (war tale) of the period 1318-1367 known as The Taiheiki.","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"paper (fiber product)","id":"AAT14109"}],"techniques":[{"text":"block printing","id":"AAT53289"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Woodblock prints","categories":[{"text":"Prints","id":"THES48903"}],"styles":[{"text":"Edo period","id":"AAT106643"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"EAS","id":"THES48596"},"images":["2006BC9296","2015HN3061"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"003","id":"THES394193"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Book","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Japan","id":"x29399"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"18th century","earliest":"1700-01-01","latest":"1800-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Purchased from S. M. Franck & Co., accessioned in 1886. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.","historicalContext":"This anonymous book recounts the conflict raging in Japan from the period 1318-1367. The work translates as 'Chronicle of the Great Peace', reflecting, perhaps, the author's desire for more peaceful times.","briefDescription":"Woodblock printed book 'Ehon Zen Taiheiki', illustrating war tales about the conflict raging in Japan from 1316-1367; anonymous, 18th century Japanese.","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["E.14979-1886"],"accessionNumberNum":"14979","accessionNumberPrefix":"E","accessionYear":1886,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2019LN7252","2019LT8646","2019LW4860"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-11-17","recordCreationDate":"2002-05-30","availableToBook":true}}