Pictorial Puzzles Of Edo Japan

by Hitoshi Iwasaki

Pictorial puzzles, or hanji-e, were a popular brain-teasing amusement among Japanese commoners during the Edo period (1603-1867). Created by the ukiyo-e artists of the time using diverse patterns and designs, they were elaborately conceived works in their own right. Presented in traditional iroha order (a type of Japanese poem), this book contains 500 examples of these curious and challenging puzzles. It is an entertaining and intellectually stimulating look at the sophisticated customs, not to mention humorous sensibilities, of the people of Edo Japan.

344 pages, Paperback

Published February 2, 2015