Alright. 460 Items. I think that's enough for one catalog. Photography continues until I'm done, and maybe then I'll give a solid launch date.

In my question to build the East Asian Catalog, there was a sore lack of any miniature books. Until now. Here's the tiniest copy of the Hyakunin Isshu I've ever seen in my life. Printed Circa 1750-1800, and under 3 inches in size. It even comes with a contemporary lacquerware case!

A few colleagues and clients ask what's keeping the next catalog. When you underestimate the work for over 400 items from the 7th to 20th century as a solo bookseller, I'd say you've got your hands full, eh? End of January-Early February. That's the goal.

No matter how much I catalog, there's still something new and fascinating every day. Take this tiny little illustrated manuscript, a unique tale featuring the Twelve Zodiac Beasts in anthropomorphic form, milling about Japanese society.

Today is just a day of photography for work, and then im blasted with this intense gaze from a horse 🐴

I love manuscripts, and i love art. As i continue along principle photography today, i can't help but spend extra time on this ink wash sketchbook of tigers, tigers, and tigers galore.

When the American fleet led by Commodore Perry first arrived at Edo Bay in 1853, it was an action that would forever change Japan, leading to the end of the centuries long isolationist position the nation had taken, and the beginning of the tumultuous Bakumatsu period. 1/2

Alright. Behind a couple weeks, but today I get to start principal photography. It's only several hundred items, I can get it done by January...right?

Nothing work related today, just wanted to share from our engagement photoshoot, which fittingly enough, took place at a bookstore.

Manuscript studies is when you have a brain meltdown understanding which of these manuscripts is older. One of these is Heian Period (8th to 12th Century), and the other is either Nara (8th Century?) or also Heian Period, but a fair bit earlier.

I used to be self-conscious of how my office looked. Now, average client visits go like this. "What do you MEAN you keep illuminated painting albums on the FLOOR????" "You keep how many paintings in a corner???" My shelves are already double stacked, leave me alone...

Here's a bunch of Charles Dickens UK Firsts taking up space on my shelves. 900 USD and postage to the first person who wants em. Message or email to claim.

461 Items. Definitely the largest Catalog I'll have ever made to date If I get it all done.... January ain't far off, gotta grit my teeth and catalog and photograph to the max.

The Tale of Genji is one of Japan's timeless literary classics, and Lady Murasaki Shikibu's masterwork, so it's been a focus of mine to try and acquire some early copies. Imagine my shock when I acquire not one, or two, but a full suite of twenty seven illuminated paintings by the Tosa School...1/2

Magic Postman at the Door, being me something rare to sell. Mailman: Here are some paintings of the aspects of Guanyin and calligraphy of the Heart Sutra attributed and signed by Pu Ru, cousin to the Last Emperor of China. ...I mean. Yeah. That'll do.

When I became a bookseller, one of my grand goals was to acquire an incunable. Done at 25. Then it was a Book of Hours. 26. But one of the biggest goals? An original Paris Bible from the 13th century, on vellum. It is November 2025. I'm 31. Cross that off the list, too. Purchased with a buddy.

Magic Book Delivery at the door, bring me something good to sell! Today is....an Early Edo Period Tale of Genji set in a plastic bag, with woodblock illustrations and annotations too. I mean, it was also in bubble wrap, so it works.

It's Day 3 at the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair! See some books! Browse some amazing highlights. Leave with some fond bookish memories, and hey, maybe buy a book or two at that.

Day 2 at the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair! Books and manuscripts from Asia to Europe. East meets West, stop on by to have a look!

One hour to go until the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair opens, don't miss out!

Awwwww yeah, nothing quite like last minute packing up for a book fair! The Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair opens tomorrow, 5 PM EST at the OCAD U Waterfront!! Be seeing some of you soon.

Aw yeah nothing quite like a fair pre-sale that already covers the booth fee

Three days to go and an unfinished fair list, what to bring, what to bring? How about an original trio of cartography manuscripts on the San'yo Regions seas and islands, from 1872, with over 140 pages of original maps! See it first at the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair

Deal of the day, a well loved, 1546 Gryphius edition of the Letters to Atticus by Cicero. Contemporary, Italian morroco leather binding, gilt tooling and the title, attributed to atelier of master bookbinder Marcantonio Guillery. 850 plus post and it's yours. Message or email to claim!

Inside me there are two tigers. One wishes to be eccentric and show up in an SCA approved Renaissance outfit for my next book fair. The other is judging said tiger for every life choice made up to that point. Painting attributed to the Kano School.

In this line of work, even a work on etiquette can be highly interesting to study! Take this late 17th manuscript scroll, which covers everything from decor arrangements to room etiquette, festival setup, and in this image, preparing meals. That fish looks awfully optimistic for becoming food...

Just a little over a week to go until the Toronto Book Fair , time to brainstorm what to bring! This illuminated painting album of the Eighteen Arhats is a maybe. The attribution to Watanabe Kazan is fantastic, but who could've expected his second son Shoka would have these rebound too??

Today on "Cataloging Projects that will Eat Up My Entire Week" An album of 47 opulent tanzaku format paintings, each by a noted artist from the Meiji to Early Showa Periods. Kono Bairei, Hashimoto Kansetsu, Harajuku Hyakusui, and way more, this album is a treasure trove

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and it definitely shows in this early 20th century silk painting album, produced by a Chinese artist imitating the works of Ming Dynasty artist Zhou Zhimian. I bought this partially for that pretty brocade binding as well 🥺

It is Spooky Day. And how, May you ask, am I spending it? By cataloging sketchbooks with cute animals and landscapes by Late Edo Period artist Tsubaki Chinzanmon. My stomach will punish me if I gorge myself on Halloween candy...

Kusozu, also known as the Nine Stages of Decay, is a Buddhist meditational practice of observing the gradual stages of rot and decay a corpse goes through. Used to see a lot of interpretations back in the day. See the rest of this scroll at the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair, Nov 14th to 16th

I've been told I haven't been sharing enough woodblock print love for the East Asian Catalog. Okay, fine, I'll catalog one more. Here's a complete set of 66 ukiyo-e woodblock prints as 33 tryptichs on the First Sino-Japanese War that someone took and bound into a single piece

"So, how did you start your day Zubairul?" I got woke up by my puppies, drank some water, and proceeded to buy a complete, 17th century map of the Tokaido Road not seen on the Western Market since 1990. How bout yours?

Finding surviving ephemera is quite fascinating, especially when it's another surviving divination chart with star signs and MULTIPLE volvelles! This one is Hommyo Tekisatsu Kikkyo Hayamihyo, also known as a Quick Prediction of Your Fate, Edo Period.

A friendly reminder that today is the first meeting for the Kitchener-Waterloo Rare, Antiquarian & Vintage Books and Ephemera Society! I'll be bringing some interesting material to have on display, including this Edo Period sutra. That's at the Kitchener Public Library, Meeting Room A, 6PM EST.

As I'm gearing up for the Toronto Fair, I'm a bit sad that there are some items too big to fit in the showcase. Saved for January it is. Here's the Late Ming to maybe Mid Qing Buddhist painting on silk I can't bring. The entire painting is pretty breathtaking, but you'll have to wait for the rest!

Ikkyu's Skeletons. Written based on a series of visions the Monk has, this 18th century edition has some real lively illustrations of skeletons partying, drumming, drinking, and even making love. See it first at the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair!

Trying to slow down on new acquistions, but when I see art like this.....man is it hard to say no. Anyways, here's a peek at what a Late Edo Period, four meter long landscape on silk looks like.

If you happen to be in Kitchener on October 23rd and have a couple free hours, stop on by for what I'm hoping is the first of many meetings of the Kitchener-Waterloo Rare, Antiquarian & Vintage Books and Ephemera Society!

Alright. New goal for the East Asian Catalog. Acquire an original 8th century Hyakumanto Dharani, with a surviving dharani printed on paper. If I screw up, I'm doing another giveaway. If I succeed, I'm doing another giveaway. Everyone wins. Except me if I don't get my pagoda.

Oh Magical Acquisitions Mirror, what do you have for me today? JAPANESE OCTOPUS BEATS RUSSIAN FLEET INTO OBLIVION. The pictured woodblock print is entitled Tako no asirai, or "The Japanese Octopus of Port Arthur". Printed in 1904, during the Russo-Japanese War.

Saved not posting this for a long while now, but here's one of the major highlights of the East Asian Catalog. Fourth fascicule of the Fú shuō dà'ān bān shǒu yì jīng (The Great Anapanasati Sutra), Circa 1270-1300. Illuminated manuscript written in gold ink on indigo dyed paper.

October 10th today. Working on the East Asian Catalog for 10 months now. Nearly a year. Here's the final extended sneak peek you all get until release day. January 2026, here we come. Last preview, I promised about 100 items. The revised count is more like 300ish now...

"In all lands, the Supreme Wheel is constantly turning. A single hair manifests magical transformations, and all Buddhas simultaneously preach the sutra." ~ The Flower Garland Sutra October is here, only fitting to prepare one last extra special preview of the Eastern Asian Catalog. Emails soon

Since im starting to recover some more, I'll be slowly putting together some sweet deals later this week, of beautiful woodblock illustrated books from only 20 to 50 bucks a pop. Keep an eye out for when the posts inevitably drop!

Aw yeah, nothing like dislocating your arm on a Tuesday. Orders will be paused the next several days while I recover. Will attempt to type responses one handed later in the week to any urgent inquiries.

Unpacking from a Book fair and feeling beleaguered from all this work has me feeling like this lil feller right here I found in a painting album today.

It's Day 2, and the final day of the Montreal Antiquarian Book Fair! Still lots available, lots sold, whatever doesn't sell, I'll be offering on Instagram when I've gotten some sleep! All 20-50 bucks a pop on Instagram for these imprints, going from the Early and Mid Edo Period.

Another day, another book fair. Been a couple years since I made it to Montreal, so this will be fun. The Pavillion JW McDonnell Building. Only Saturday and Sunday. Don't miss out.

As is tradition, when coming to Montreal for a book fair, it's time to try some food the night before. And what is more fitting than a medieval tavern? Auberge du Dragon Rouge really hits it out of the park. And yes, they do have performing troubadours.