Used for the first volume of a two- or three-volume set, or the first part of a larger work. Often contrasted with 中編 (middle volume) and 下編 (last volume).
The first volume of this complete works covers the Meiji period.
上編だけ読んで、まだ中編と下編は読んでいない。
I've only read the first part; I haven't read the middle and last parts yet.
Standard kanji form for 'first volume/part'.
Variant kanji form; 篇 is an older character for 'volume' or 'chapter'.
Compound of 上 (じょう, 'upper' or 'first') and 編 (へん, 'volume' or 'compilation').