Tokugawa seiseiroku

• Author: Ichioka Masakazu
• Calligraphy by: Katsu Kaishû
• Published: 1889
• Japanese: 徳川盛世録 (Tokugawa seiseiroku)

The Tokugawa seiseiroku, or "Record of the Prosperous Age[s] of the Tokugawa," was compiled around 1890 - the 300th anniversary of the Tokugawa clan taking Edo castle as its base - by Tokugawa hatamoto Ichioka Masakazu. Aiming to show the Edo period as one of prosperity, it discusses and depicts numerous rituals and ceremonies of the Tokugawa shogunate, as well as other aspects of the Tokugawa order, and of scenes in and around Edo otherwise. Prominent Meiji political figure Katsu Kaishû provided the calligraphy for the title page.

A scene from the Tokugawa seiseiroku depicting a daimyô procession outside Edo castle.

References

• Kurushima Hiroshi, presentation at "Interpreting Parades and Processions of Edo Japan" symposium, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Feb 11 2013.
• Gallery labels, "Edo-zu byôbu to gyôretsu" temporary exhibit, National Museum of Japanese History,