Introduction
Hand-printing technology played a significant role in the spread of Buddhism in Japan. It allowed for the mass production of sutras and other Buddhist texts, making them more accessible to the general population. This technology was introduced to Japan by Buddhist missionaries in the 8th century.

Buddhist Missionaries Introduce Hand-printing Technology
Around 768-770 AD, the Japanese Emperor Shōmu ordered the creation of a copy of the Buddhist scripture, the Lotus Sutra, to be placed in every temple in Japan. To accomplish this task, he enlisted the help of a Korean Buddhist monk named Gyōgi. Gyōgi brought with him a printing press that used hand-carved wooden blocks to print text onto paper.

Gyōgi and his team of monks trained Japanese craftsmen in the art of hand-carving wooden blocks and printing. They also developed a system for accurately aligning the blocks to produce clean and readable text. This allowed for the mass production of Buddhist texts, making them more accessible to the general population.

Impact of Hand-printing Technology
The introduction of hand-printing technology had a significant impact on Japanese culture and society. It allowed for the mass production and dissemination of Buddhist texts, which helped to spread Buddhism throughout Japan. It also paved the way for the development of Japanese literature and printing, which would become some of the most sophisticated in the world.

Conclusion
Buddhist missionaries introduced hand-printing technology to Japan around 768-770 AD. This technology allowed for the mass production and dissemination of Buddhist texts, making them more accessible to the general population. It also had a significant impact on Japanese culture and society, paving the way for the development of Japanese literature and printing.