Good condition overall with slight water damage and minor insect wear consistent with age. The books remain visually appealing, with strong printed details and well-preserved illustrations throughout.
This Edo-period two-volume woodblock printed book set is from Shaka Hassō Yamato Bunko (釈迦八相倭文庫, “The Life of Shakyamuni in Eight Phases: A Japanese Library”), written by Mantei Ōga and illustrated by Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III).
Published during the Kōka era (1845–1846), the series presents the life of the Buddha through richly illustrated narrative scenes designed for a broad Edo-period audience. Combining religious subject matter with popular illustrated storytelling, the work became one of the longest-running kusazōshi series of the 19th century.
The covers feature vibrant nishiki-e style printing, while the interior pages contain finely detailed woodblock illustrations characteristic of Kunisada’s mature work.
A historically important and visually engaging example of Edo-period illustrated literature, suitable for collectors of ukiyo-e books, Buddhist works, and Japanese woodblock printing.
