Antique Edo Period Japanese Makimono Scroll Sakai Clan Samurai Roster

An exceptional antique Japanese makimono (handscroll) offering a rare, documented glimpse into Edo-period samurai history. A translation of the opening calligraphy reveals a direct connection to the prestigious Sakai clan of the Maebashi Domain (modern-day Gunma Prefecture), dating this piece prior to 1749. The document serves as an official clan roster or retainer lineage record. An old English inscription on the reverse designates the piece as a "FAMILY SCROLL FOR ARMOR SUIT," indicating a previous collector acquired it alongside a specific set of samurai armor (gusoku) as a vital record of provenance.

The scroll opens to reveal precise, fluid calligraphy painted onto traditional washi paper, detailed with delicate red vertical guidelines and subtle gold flecking. A traditional blue and gold silk brocade backs the document, finished with a wooden roller and a green tying cord. Such scrolls were highly respected records of heritage and military organization. This artifact stands as a profound historical document for collectors of Japanese antiquities and samurai ephemera.

Specs
Maker/Artist: Unknown (Scribe of the Maebashi Domain)
Year Made: Circa 1700
Materials: Washi paper, silk brocade, sumi ink, wood, textile cord
Dimensions: 8.25" H x 1.5" W x 1.5" D (Rolled)

Condition
The interior washi paper and calligraphy remain remarkably crisp, highly legible, and structurally sound with only minor age-related creasing. The exterior silk brocade backing exhibits heavy fraying, material loss, and significant wear expected from centuries of handling, though the tying cord and wooden roller remain intact and functional.