1853 Original Antique Japanese Carved Wood Block Printing Plate For. Title: Original 1853 Japanese Woodblock Printing Plate. Romanization as: Enmi Jizokyo Wakun Zue. English Title Translation: Sutra of Life-extending Jizo Bodhisattva with Japanese Annotation and Illustration. Pages 25 and 26 of. Volume 2 (total 3 volumes). Carved on both sides. The book itself has the following titles and editor/publisher information detailed below for your comparison and identification. Between page title (as showing on the carved plate). (abbreviated form of the cover title). Date of Publication (and publishers/booksellers). Printed by Bokuko and released in September 1853 by the bookseller Haruhoshi Do in Osaka. Some special characters e. Date: carved on or before 1853 (as the book itself was published on September 1853 detailed above and below). Medium: Hard wood block carved on both sides with companion illustration block images. Dimensions: printing area 17.4 x 27 cm or. 6 7/8 x 10 5/8 inch, overall size of the woodblock (19.2 x 40.5 cm or 7 1/2 x 15 7/8 inch), thickness (1.3 cm or 1/2 inch). Weight 1.6 pounds or 720 grams Credits. Identification, Dating, and Authentication of this particular woodblock were straightforwardly done and with 100% confidence by comparing every detail of the woodblock with its corresponding printed four pages of the published book. The overall condition of this rare [one of the kinds] woodblock is excellent plus on both sides. Beautiful prints can still be pulled from the block as shown in the freshly printed examples (photos #4 and #5) to facilitate reading and comparison with the relevant book pages. Ample photos in high resolution are provided for your convenience of identification and judging its excellent quality independently. Flaws to note: nearly flawless with a tiny crack on left (not affecting the printing area) as shown by the detailed photos. Is one of the four most important Bodhisattva of East Asian Buddhism and one of the most loved figures in Japan (Called O-Jizo Sama by Children in Japan). Many scriptures attributed to him were translated from Sanskrit in China around 700 CE. Enmi Jizokyo was claimed to be translated by. An highly revered Indian Monk who spent most of his life in the court of Tang dynasty. But was preserved only in Japan. It begins with the passage. Thus claimed to be spoken by the Buddha himself. The scriptures might actually have been originated in Japan since there are certain passages that are uniquely Japanese e. Mentioned the legendary Tengu. A heavenly dog. It was very popular with the Samurai of Kamakura period 11. Century and popular with people of East Asia ever since. The scripture itself was first published in print form around 15. Century in Japan, the current specimen is one of the first with with illustrations and Japanese annotation and was published in 1853. This woodblock printing plate contains one of the important passages with its entire annotation and its companion illustration (as showing on the photos #4 and #5 that were freshly printed for identification and easy of reading). The pronunciation of each character was indicated by Hiragana. The passage was in large character as quoted below. It can be translated roughly as: Jizo Bodhisattva is such that he can exhibit his body in variety of forms and would like to save all the souls from all the Six Worlds (including the hell). The annotation included detailed explanation of each words and a story of two Samurai (rich and poor) of Kamakura period with the illustration showing one praying with the Jizo Bodhisattva appeared to him in person. The surviving woodblock printing plates with illustration is extremely rare (especially in such impeccable condition and for such a historically significant item). All reasonable offers will be seriously considered. Not a later, modern copy or reproduction and as described. The item “1853 Original Antique Japanese Carved Wood Block Printing Plate Jizo” is in sale since Wednesday, May 11, 2016. This item is in the category “Antiques\Asian Antiques\Korea”. The seller is “shiyie” and is located in Cincinnati, Ohio. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Type: Printing Plate
• Primary Material: Wood
• Age: 1853
• Region of Origin: Japan
• Original/Reproduction: Original
• Listed By: Dealer or Reseller