“Is this where knowledge sleeps?” someone muttered. Here before us stands the \u9244\u773c\u4e00\u5207\u7d4c\u7248\u6728\u53ce\u8535\u5eab. It is a treasure house guarding ancient wisdom. It protects about 60,000 woodblocks. These blocks contain the complete collection of Buddhist scriptures. This makes it a vital cultural landmark.
\u9244\u773c\u7985\u5e2b founded the treasure house. It is part of the Kozan Zen Temple. The temple belongs to the Obaku sect. This temple is where the \u9244\u773c\u4e00\u5207\u7d4c\u7248\u6728\u53ce\u8535\u5eab resides.
Imagine Japan in 1669. Printing was not well-established. Monks had to hand-copy texts. \u9244\u773c\u7985\u5e2b wanted to spread Buddhist teachings widely. He decided to print all the Buddhist classics. He started a project to create woodblocks for printing.
It took 17 years of dedicated fundraising. The project succeeded in carving approximately 60,000 woodblocks. These blocks made up 6,956 volumes. The woodblocks use the Ming Dynasty style. Skilled printers still use them today. They create hand-printed books at the \u9244\u773c\u4e00\u5207\u7d4c\u7248\u6728\u53ce\u8535\u5eab. If the timing is right you might observe a printing demonstration.
The \u9244\u773c\u4e00\u5207\u7d4c\u7248\u6728\u53ce\u8535\u5eab is not generally open to the public. Special events offer a chance to visit. Check the official website for open days. Academic researchers can request special access.
“Everything scripture” contains Buddhist thought in three divisions. It includes sutras, which are the sayings of Buddha. Vinaya are the rules. Shastras are commentaries on the sutras and Vinaya. These scriptures cover a wide array of subjects. They range from ethics to medicine. They include societal norms. They are a comprehensive collection of knowledge. They are like a Buddhist encyclopedia.
Originally Buddhist texts came from India. They were written in Sanskrit. Chinese monks translated them. \u9244\u773c\u7985\u5e2b helped spread them in Japan.
The original paper used for these prints influenced modern printing. The combination of Ming type and this paper led to today’s printing culture. This makes \u9244\u773c\u7985\u5e2b a cornerstone of Japanese printing.
The \u9244\u773c\u4e00\u5207\u7d4c\u7248\u6728\u53ce\u8535\u5eab houses these invaluable woodblocks. They are designated Important Cultural Property.
Though generally closed the temple offers a space for reflection. It is a place to ease your mind. The grounds feature seasonal flowers. They add to the serene atmosphere. The \u9244\u773c\u4e00\u5207\u7d4c\u7248\u6728\u53ce\u8535\u5eab preserves not just texts. It preserves a legacy of knowledge for generations.