Author/compiler: Attributed to Kōjo 公助 (furigana reading of name on fol. 33b of maki 下), imperial prince and Buddhist monk, 16th century. Imprint: N.p., n.d. No kanki. Batsu by the monk Sontsū on last page of maki 下, dated Genroku 6 (1693) reads (in part) : 元禄六年歳次癸酉十月真正極樂 ／ 寺第二十八世住持沙門尊通謹識. Description: 3 kan, formerly in 3 satsu, rebound in 1 vol. western style. (Maki 上) ff. [2] (standing figure of Amida and portrait of founder of Shinnyodō), 32; (maki 中) ff. 41; (maki 下) ff. 33; [2] (batsu). 26.3 x 19.2 cm. Fukurotoji. Blockprint. Printing frame 22.8 x 17.9 cm. (average). Single-line borders. No fishtail design on hanshin. Hiragana-majiri text with printed furigana. 7 lines to page, 14-16 characters to line. Original pale blue front cover of maki 上 only, with original printed title slip. Gedai: 真如堂緣起上. No naidai. Hashiragaki: 真如堂緣起上 (中, 下) 巻 + folio no. In a western style half-leather binding. Edition: The second edition, following an earlier edition dated Enpō 5 (1677). The name of publishing monastery (=Shinnyodō) appears on the lower part of the hanshin of every folio in the form: 鈴聲山之板. The printed edition is derived from a manuscript version in roll form, dating from Daiei 4 大永四年 (1524) with text written by Kōjo 公助 and illustrations by Hisakuni 久國. Contents: An account of the founding and subsequent history of the Shinshō Gokuraku-ji 眞正極樂寺 in Kyōto, popularly known as Shinnyodō, based on legend and fact. In this printed edition, the hanshita is from the calligraphy of Kitamuki Unchiku 北向雲竹, 1632-1703.
Shinnyodō engi 眞如堂緣起 [真如堂縁起]
This material is held atBritish Library Asia, Pacific and Africa Collections
- Reference
- GB 59 16079.a.24
- Dates of Creation
- 1693
- Language of Material
- Japanese
- Physical Description
- 1 volume Condition: Good, apart from water stains in upper corner of maki 上. Impression: Atozuri from moderately worn blocks. Illustrations: Copiously illustrated with sumizuri woodcuts, some extending over several folios in the manner of a picture scroll, depicting the founding of the monastery, installation of Amida Buddha as honzon, and later history. The artist, according to Sontsū's batsu, was Kaihō Yūchiku 海北友竹, d. 1731. Seals of ownership: None.
Scope and Content
Access Information
Not Public Record(s)
Unrestricted
Acquisition Information
Acquired from a London bookseller, 16 April 1901.
Other Finding Aids
Kenneth Gardner, Descriptive Catalogue of Japanese books in the British Library printed before 1700 (London and Tenri, 1993). B. Buddhist works 仏書 1. General works 一般
Bibliography
Nihon koten bungaku daijiten 日本古典文学大辞典, vol. 3, p. 502; Mochizuki bukkyō daijiten 望月仏教大辞典, vol. 3, p. 2087; text reprinted in Zoku gunsho ruijū 続群書類従, vol. 27 (上) and elsewhere.