Fragment of Daihannya Sutra
Bibliographic Details
- Title
- Fragment of Daihannya Sutra / 大般若経 断簡
- Author
- Anonymous / アノニマス
- Year
- Kamakura Period / 鎌倉時代
- Size
- Four lines= h240×w97mm / Five lines= h227×75mm
- Language
- Japanese / 日本語
- Binding
- One print with simple mount / 未装台貼
- Printing
- Handwritten sutras / 写経
- Materials
- Japanese paper / 和紙
- Edition
- Unique / 一点物
- Condition
- Well preserved for Hundreds of years / 数百年間の保存状態
To ward off evil,
A fragment of a prayer.
Kamakura period
These are fragments of the fourth and fifth lines of the Mahajaraparamita Sutra (Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra).
The Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra is a scripture consisting of 600 volumes, and it would have taken an enormous amount of time and effort to copy it all. It is an important scripture that is passed down, as it is recited by various sects to ward off disasters (such as epidemics and famines) and to protect the nation.
What we are introducing today is a fragment that was originally bound as a scroll or folded book, but was later torn apart. Judging from the quality of the paper and the style of writing, it is believed to be a relic from around the Kamakura period.
Although all of the books are in a pitiful state, having been eaten by insects, they are still cherished remnants of the former collection, having been passed down from hand to hand over the course of hundreds of years.
・Four lines of fragments (h240×w97mm): 27,500 yen
・Five Elements Fragment (h227×75mm): 27,500 yen
Text by Osamu Hasegi (Choondo)
