Author/compiler: Uncertain, but text matter generally attributed to the kanpaku Konoe Michitsugu 近衞道嗣, 1332-87. Imprint: N.p., n.d. [Kan'ei period, 1624-44] . No colophon. (See Edition below.). Description: 10 kan, 10 satsu, in a chitsu case. (Maki 1) ff. 3 (目録), 19; (2) ff. 20; (3) ff. 23; (4) ff. 14; (5) ff. 16; (6) ff. 13; (7) ff. 20; (8) ff. 16; (9) ff. 16; (10) ff. 20. (Folio numbering printed at top corner of each folio.) 28.2 x 20.2 cm. (Maki 7 and 10, 28.6 × 20.2 cm.) Fukurotoji. Blockprint. Printing frame 23.6 x 18.2 cm. (average). Single-line borders above and below. No printed hanshin. Katakana-majiri text, with printed furigana and kutōten. 10 lines to page, 20-24 characters to line. Original dark blue covers; maki 7 and 10 smooth, maki 1-6, 8-9 embossed with a rhomboid design. Original printed title slips, damaged and incomplete, on maki 5, 7, 9 and 10; renewed manuscript title slips on maki 2 and 6. Gedai: Gyōjōki 行狀記 + maki no. Title from naidai at head of each maki. Edition: Undated edition of c. Kan'ei period, based on an earlier edition in roll form, also in 10 kan, printed in either Bunroku 2 文禄二年 (1593) or Bunroku 5 (1596). The present edition is the first in book form. Its origin as a handscroll is clearly demonstrated by the uneven distribution of pictures and text, the varying length of illustrations (some half-page, some up to 10 pages) and the absence of a printed hanshin. Both Kokusho sōmokuroku 国書総目録 and Nihon koten bungaku daijiten 日本古典文学大辞典 reveal some uncertainty about the relationship of the two titles Kōbō daishi gyōjō zuga (or zue) 弘法大師行狀圖畫 and Kōya daishi gyōjō zue 高野大師行狀圖繪. Contents: An illustrated account of the life and works of Kūkai 空海, better known as Kōbō Daishi 弘法大師, founder of the Shingon sect.
Kōya daishi gyōjō zuga 高野大師行狀圖畫 [高野大師行状図画]
This material is held atBritish Library Asia, Pacific and Africa Collections
- Reference
- GB 59 16006.e.35
- Dates of Creation
- [1624-1644]
- Language of Material
- Japanese
- Physical Description
- 10 volumes Condition: Fair, but many folios are soiled and water-stained. Maki 7 and 10 badly damaged by worming. Impression: Sharp and clear, from little-worn blocks. Maki 7 and 10 appear to be of a different impression from the rest. Illustrations: An early landmark in the history of Japanese book illustration. The copious sumizuri woodcuts , some extending over many pages, illustrate episodes in the life of Kōbō Daishi. For full details of illustrations and the subjects they depict, see Ryerson Catalogue, pp. 21-5. All illustrations are derived from scroll paintings held by the Jizōin 地藏院, Kōyasan, attributed to the 14th century artist Tosa Yukimitsu 土佐行光. Seals of ownership: None.
Scope and Content
Access Information
Not Public Record(s)
Unrestricted
Acquisition Information
Acquired from Rinrōkaku, 29 July 1964.
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 9. Shingon sect 真言宗
Bibliography
Nihon koten bungaku daijiten 日本古典文学大辞典, vol. 2, p. 523; Catalogue of Japanese illustrated books and manuscripts in the Spencer Collection of the New York Public Library, p. 76; Tenri toshokan kisho mokuroku 天理図書館稀書目録, vol. 3, p. 91.