A rare Edo–Meiji period woodblock-printed edition of Ōjōyōshū 往生要集, one of the most influential Buddhist texts in Japanese history. Originally written in 985 CE by the monk Genshin (源信), this classic treatise shaped Pure Land Buddhism and inspired countless illustrated depictions of the afterlife, karmic consequences, and rebirth.
This volume is the Illustrated Part II (後編 / 巻之中・巻之下) and features powerful woodblock artworks depicting:
Scenes of Buddhist hell (地獄絵)
Demonic punishments and karmic retribution
Sinners falling into flames or rivers of suffering
Judges of the underworld and supernatural guardians
Pure Land teachings guiding practitioners to salvation
Text pages are printed in traditional Edo kanji script with clear framing lines. The cover retains its original blue Japanese paper, and the binding is in fukurotoji style (bound-pocket format).
Details
Title: 往生要集 絵入（後編） / Ōjōyōshū Illustrated Edition, Later Volume
Period: Edo–Meiji (19th century)
Origin: Japan
Binding: Fukurotoji (Japanese stitched binding)
Content: Illustrated Buddhist hell scenes, Pure Land teachings, karmic doctrine
Why This Book Is Valuable
This edition is prized by collectors of:
Japanese Buddhist texts
Edo–Meiji woodblock prints
Hell iconography (地獄絵)
Rare Japanese antiquarian books
Pure Land Buddhist history
A powerful and atmospheric artifact representing Japan’s religious, artistic, and literary heritage.
