{"product_id":"edo-1806-buddhist-woodblock-book-illustrated-biography-of-dogen","title":"Edo 1806 Buddhist Woodblock Book – Illustrated Biography of Dōgen","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eVery good antique condition for a book printed in \u003cstrong\u003e1806\u003c\/strong\u003e. There is very little staining or insect damage, with only minor age-related wear to the paper. No noticeable water damage is present. The woodblock illustrations and text remain exceptionally sharp and clearly defined, while the black ink remains strong and has not noticeably faded.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublished in \u003cstrong\u003e1806 (Bunka 3)\u003c\/strong\u003e, this original Edo-period woodblock-printed book is \u003cstrong\u003eTeiho Kenzeiki Zue (訂補建撕記圖會)\u003c\/strong\u003e, with the full title \u003cstrong\u003eEiso Gyōjitsu Teiho Kenzeiki Zue (永祖行實 訂補建撕記圖會)\u003c\/strong\u003e. The work is an extensively illustrated biography of \u003cstrong\u003eDōgen (道元, 1200–1253)\u003c\/strong\u003e, founder of the Japanese \u003cstrong\u003eSōtō Zen\u003c\/strong\u003e tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe text derives from the medieval biography of Dōgen traditionally attributed to \u003cstrong\u003eKenzei (建撕)\u003c\/strong\u003e and incorporates later revisions and historical scholarship by the influential Sōtō monk \u003cstrong\u003eMenzan Zuihō (面山瑞方, 1683–1769)\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNumerous detailed woodblock illustrations, attributed to \u003cstrong\u003eDaiken (大賢) and others\u003c\/strong\u003e, transform Dōgen's biography into a visual narrative. They depict temples, Buddhist ceremonies, sermons, journeys, meetings with disciples, and important episodes from his religious life and the early development of Sōtō Zen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne illustrated episode carries the inscription \u003cstrong\u003e「筑前博多ノ圓覺寺ヨリ蘭溪禪師ノ書東リ送リ来ル」\u003c\/strong\u003e, describing the arrival of a letter associated with \u003cstrong\u003eLanxi Daolong (蘭溪道隆 \/ Rankei Dōryū)\u003c\/strong\u003e from Engakuji in Hakata, Chikuzen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003eBunka 3 (1806)\u003c\/strong\u003e edition was published in \u003cstrong\u003eKyoto\u003c\/strong\u003e and is associated with the \u003cstrong\u003eYanagishiken (柳枝軒)\u003c\/strong\u003e publishing house. Both the text and illustrations were produced through traditional Japanese woodblock printing in black ink on handmade Japanese paper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore than two centuries after it was printed, the surviving sharpness of the illustrations and text makes this an impressive example of \u003cstrong\u003eEdo-period Buddhist publishing\u003c\/strong\u003e, combining Zen biography, historical scholarship, and detailed pictorial storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Echoes of Edo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49482235871491,"sku":null,"price":5000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0811\/5965\/1587\/files\/bghynbhyfnvfghjnbgf.png?v=1787098257","url":"https:\/\/echoesofedo.com\/products\/edo-1806-buddhist-woodblock-book-illustrated-biography-of-dogen","provider":"Echoes of Edo","version":"1.0","type":"link"}