Very good condition overall. Cover pages are in excellent condition with vivid colors. All pages have been reinforced with a hard backing for preservation. Some insect damage is present but does not detract from the overall appearance. Printed lines remain sharp and clear throughout.
This two-volume Edo-period 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). This set includes the upper (上) and lower (下) volumes of Part 3 (三編).
The date is identified as 1846 (Kōka 3) based on the inscription 丙午ノ春 (“Spring of the Year of the Horse”) on the cover, corresponding to the Hinoto-uma year in the Japanese sexagenary cycle.
This long-running illustrated series presents the life of the Buddha in an accessible and engaging format, combining narrative text with detailed imagery. The covers feature vibrant nishiki-e (multi-color woodblock printing), while the interior illustrations demonstrate the craftsmanship and storytelling style of late Edo-period kusazōshi.
A well-preserved and historically rich example of Edo-period illustrated literature, ideal for collectors of Japanese woodblock books, Buddhist themes, and Kunisada’s work.
