Very good condition overall. Minor friction wear is present on the cover pages, but there is no major damage. The printed lines and illustrations remain sharp, with no noticeable ink fading.
This antique Japanese woodblock-printed Buddhist book, Jikaku Daishi Den (自覚大師伝), is a biography of Ennin (794–864), an important monk of the Tendai school. Produced in traditional fukuro-toji (string-bound) format, it reflects the enduring style of religious publishing from the late Edo to early Meiji period (circa 1860s–1880s).
The text is presented in classical kuzushiji script, accompanied by illustrated plates that enhance the narrative. As is typical for religious works of this kind, no author is credited, in keeping with conventions that emphasized devotion over individual recognition.
Printed using traditional woodblock techniques, the book retains strong visual clarity and craftsmanship, with well-preserved ink and detailed imagery throughout.
A clean and historically meaningful example of Japanese Buddhist literature, suitable for collectors of religious texts, woodblock books, and Tendai-related materials.
