The author is Kyokutei Bakin (Takizawa Bakin), and the illustrations are by Ichiyosai Kuniyoshi (Utagawa Kuniyoshi, a ukiyo-e artist). "Kana-yomi" (仮名読) refers to a publishing format in which furigana (phonetic annotations) were added to kanji to make them easier for the general readership (literate population) of the time to read. It states that it was published in January of Kaei 5 (1852). This is a volume of Hakkenden that was widely circulated among the public in the late Edo period. There are insect damage, tears, and discoloration. Please be aware that it has been over 170 years since its publication. Terakoya Culture and Literacy Rate Terakoya (temple schools) spread throughout the country from the mid-Edo period (late 17th century to early 18th century) and were present in almost every town and village by the end of the Edo period. The Popularity of Kusazōshi and Hakkenden The expansion of the literate population led to the popularization of narrative literature. Takizawa Bakin's "Nansō Satomi Hakkenden" (published 1814-1842) is a representative bestseller of this era. The reprint of Kaei 5 (1852) was 10 years after the first edition. It is considered that it was still in demand and was republished as "reading material enjoyed by townspeople and the middle class of farming villages who learned to read at terakoya."