farfel_n03_055_158

Edo period (1603-1868)

edition were stored for reprinting copies of the work as needed, which
has resulted in there being more copies of some maki than others.
The Nambokucho period (1333-92) + the Manomachi period (1392-1603)
saw the decline + eventual collapse of Nara printing, almoost certailny
occasioned by the learning importance of Nara itself + of the Buddhist sects
with headquarters there. There is considerable evidence of printing actively during
both periods but some temples active in the Kamekura period seem to have
been less so in successive periods. however, Kofuku-ji still continued
to be leading printing temple in the Nambokucho + Muromachi
periods.
-The story of printing in Kyoto from the beginning of the Kamekura period to
1590 is confusing due to the involvement of so many different temples + so
many types of Buddhist works. One factor common to both Nara +
Kyoto printing until the introduction of moveable type in 1590 is that
printing was confined to Buddhist works + was never regarded as a
commercial undertaking.
- Kesuga-ban - originally this term referred to books that were printed
at Kofuku-ji in Nara + then dedicated at the Kasuga shrine the
family shrine of the Fujiwara family. Strictly speaking, it should
only be used in connection with books that were printed at Kofuku-ji, but
it has come to be used for any book or scroll printed in a Nara
temple during the Hean (794-1185), Kamakura + Muromachi periods.
-The Kamakura period marks the golden age of Nara printing, for the
doctrinal revival of Nara Buddhism during that time was accompanied by
the best + most prolific period of Nara printing. The Typical Nara-han
work was printed on the hightest quality paper (almost invariably made from
gampi or mulberry fibers) with the characters reproduced in bold black sumi ink
Decoration with gold or silver leaf either on the printing frames or in the margins
surrounding the text is not uncommon. Illustrations, while not unknown
are very rare.
Diamond Sutra Heart of Wisdom Sutra - a brief condensation of the* a work in 600 chapters on the nature of prajna or
wisdom; one of the most important metaphysical texts of early
Mahayana Buddhism, of ten recited in the Japanese Shung on
+ Zen sects. * philosophy expressed in the Diamond Sutra.