蔵書印

• Reading: ぞうしょいん
• Romaji: zōshoin
• Kanji breakdown: 蔵 (zō/kura) — storehouse, to store; 書 (sho/ka) — writings, book; 印 (in/shirushi) — seal, stamp
• Pronunciation: /zoːɕo.iɴ/

Meaning

Bookplate; ownership stamp affixed to a book to indicate its owner; ex libris. A seal or stamp placed inside a book to identify its collector or institution.

Historically used by scholars, aristocrats, and libraries to mark their book collections. Can be a simple inked stamp, a carved seal impression, or an elaborate artistic label. The practice was imported from China and flourished in Japan from the Edo period. Also written 蔵書票 in the Western ex libris tradition.

Examples

1. 古本屋で見つけた本には明治時代の蔵書印が押されていた。 A book I found at a used bookstore had a bookplate stamped from the Meiji era.
2. 著名な学者の旧蔵書に捺された蔵書印は歴史的価値がある。 The bookplates affixed to a renowned scholar's former collection have historical value.
3. 自分だけの蔵書印を作ってコレクションに使っている。 I had my own personal bookplate made and use it for my collection.

Usage Guide

Context: book collecting, libraries, antiquarian books, calligraphy

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 蔵 (to store, storehouse) and 書 (writings, books) and 印 (seal, stamp). Literally means 'seal of the stored books,' denoting an owner's mark on a personal library.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo–Modern

Generation: Scholars and collectors

Social background: Educated elite