This is a an old Japanase merchant ledger book that I believe would be known as a daifuku-cho, with sumi ink characters on the front and back covers, handwritten tabs dividing sections, and many of its many many pages filled with ink writing. It is bound at the top with rope; I believe the binding would also be used for hanging it, as I understand it such that it and other ledgers could be quickly gathered up if there was a fire or emergency. Later 19th or early 20th c. I believe, and to my eye just a gorgeous object whether one can read it or not.

9 1/8" t x 3" w x 6" thick. Some surface wear to the painting on one cover as pictured; otherwise just general wear.