LIST

Commentary

These are the "Kanbutsu-zanmai-kai Kyo Kan Dairoku" scriptures, which are a designated cultural property of Kagawa Prefecture. Based on the Avatamsaka Sutra, these scriptures discuss what needs to be done when trying to visualize the appearance and the form of Buddha, and it represents one volume out of a total of ten volumes. Although the colors of the beginning of the volume are faded out, thin black ink is used to draw lines across paper that is thought to be dyed using amur cork tree, and with 17 characters written per line, the end of the volume features a glossary. While the characters used are based on the "Kaishotai" font that was completed in Tang dynasty China, the vertical strokes and downward strokes to the right are slightly thick, and the beginning of the horizontal brush strokes exhibit undulating features. Based on this strict yet rich style of calligraphy, it can be assumed that it was produced at a governmental sutra-copying office in the Metropolis, and it can be estimated that it is a so-called "Tempyo shakyo" that was transcribed in the late Nara period. While this "Kan Dairoku" (sixth volume) can be found here at Zentsu-ji, there also exists a "Kan Daini" (second volume) that is observed to have been written by the same student as part of the same copy, and this can be found at Iyadani-ji Temple, which is number 71 of the Shikoku Sacred Places. It can be said that this is an intriguing relic that provides glimpses into the relationship and history of both temples.

Designated Section

Designated cultural property of Kagawa Prefecture

Structure

Document written in monochrome ink: dimensions 25.6cm in length x 675.7cm in width

Era

Nara Period

Address

Zentsu-ji Treasure Hall, 3-3-1 Zentsuji-cho, Zentsuji City, Kagawa Prefecture