'Nichiren Shōnin go ichidai mokuhanga gafu' 日蓮聖人御一代木版画譜 (Woodblock Print Album of Nichiren's Life)-46 woodblock prints Horiuchi Tenrei 堀内天嶺 (1903-1982)
A very rare complete set of prints (46 prints), never released to the public market, for internal use within Nichiren temples. Enjoy this beautifully preserved piece of history!
Full title:日蓮聖人御一代木版画譜 立正安国論諫暁第七百年記念 Nichiren Seijin Goichidai Ki Gafu - Nichiren Shonin's life in woodblock prints - Commemorating the 700th Anniversary of Risshō Ankokuron
Publisher: Rissho University 立正大学 Edition/year: 1st/ 1959/ Showa 34 Author: Tenrei Horiuchi 堀内 天嶺 (1903-1982) Carver: Sano Yasushi 佐野泰師 Printer: Availability: 0, rare aparition on market, not available either on western or japanese market Price range: Fair market value 2300 / Fair auction price 1600 Signature: "Tenryo" on each print Seal: Artist's seal Editor and superviser: 影山堯雄 Gyoo Kageyama (1886-1983)
Condition: 46 woodblock prints enclosed in chitsu (classic carboard box), each print with explanation (in japanese), both upper corners attached to the cardboard mat, no tears, no mold/no foxing, no stains, chitsu in very good shape, no bending, very light signs of wear in the corners, bindings intact, on a scale of 1 to 10, a solid 9.
Details: See full scanned files here (cropped, not full size) : http://www.honshuji.com/gafu.htm
Tenrei Horiuchi was born in Yamanashi prefecture. A member of Toyo Shukyo Bijutsu Kyokai (Eastern Religious Art Association). In 1931, to commemorate Nichiren's 650 years after his death, he donated 32 pictures of "Nichiren Seijin Godai Ki" to Kujo Temple at Mt. Jitsugyo. He became a priest of Nichiren School in 1974. He established Nichiren Soryu-o-zan Ichijo Temple at Nakano, Shinbashi.
In 1957, the artist Tenrei Horiuchi began work, improving and expanding the previous 36 prints on his series "Picture Album of the Life of Priest Nichiren," to a set of 46 woodblock prints illustrating the life of the Buddhist priest Nichiren, who taught devotion to the Lotus Sutra. Subjects range from daily life, travels, and exile, to dramatic miracles. When completed in 1959, sets were distributed to around 400 Nichiren School temples. An interesting series with strong graphic appeal.
The set was never available to the public, being published only for the internal use of Nichiren temples
Published by Rishho University 立 正 大 学 Rissho University, one of the oldest universities in Japan, was founded in 1580, when a seminary was established as a learning center for young monks of the Nichiren shu. The university's name came from the Rissho Ankoku Ron, a thesis written by Nichiren, a prominent Buddhist priest of the Kamakura period.
-------------------------------------------------------------- 4- the volume/edition is available at the moment on western and japanese market, at least 10 copies 3- the volume is available at the moment on Japanese market, at least 5 copies 2- the volume is scarce or rare on Japanese market at the moment, less than 5 copies available/ appears on market once in a few years 1- Rare volume, not available at the moment either on western or Japanese market/ barely appears on market once in a few years ***0 – Once in a lifetime opportunity, museum grade, not available for sale either on Japanese or western market, available in libraries or museums
Shipping insured and express by DPD/FedEx/UPS, reaching anywhere in EU and US in 3-5 days. Buyers please complete payment in reasonable time (3-5 days) Weight: around 4 kgs
