Around AD 768-770 Buddhist missionaries from China introduced hand-printing technology in Japan. The oldest Japanese book, the 'Buddhist Diamond Sutra' was printed in AD 868, it contained six sheets of text and woodcut illustrations.

The First Printed Book in Japan: Answering the Call of the Daimyōs

In the early 8th century, Buddhism was introduced to Japan from China and quickly gained popularity among the ruling class. As a result, numerous Buddhist texts were imported from China, leading to a strong demand for the production of these texts within Japan. However, due to the complex nature of Chinese characters, it was a challenging task to reproduce these texts by hand. This need for a more efficient method of reproduction eventually led to the advent of printing in Japan.

The Arrival of Printing

Printing technology made its way to Japan during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) in China. The first known instance of printing in Japan took place in the late 8th century, when a Buddhist sutra called the "Hyakumantō Dharani" was produced using woodblock printing. This sutra consisted of one million copies and was commissioned by Empress Shōtoku. However, it is important to note that this was not a book in the traditional sense, but rather a religious text that was distributed as charms against evil spirits.

The First Printed Book

The first book to be printed in Japan was the "Diamond Sutra" (Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra). This Buddhist text was brought to Japan from China by the monk Ryonin in 1237. Recognizing the significance of this text, the daimyō (feudal lords) of Japan commissioned the creation of a woodblock printed version. The production of the "Diamond Sutra" was completed in 868 AD, making it the oldest extant printed book in Japan.

Woodblock Printing Process

Woodblock printing involves carving text or images onto wooden blocks, which are then inked and pressed onto paper or other materials. The process of creating a woodblock printed book was labor-intensive and required the collaboration of various skilled craftsmen. The text was meticulously carved onto multiple wooden blocks, with each block representing a different page or section of the book. The blocks were then inked and pressed onto paper, resulting in a printed copy of the text.

The Significance of the "Diamond Sutra"

The "Diamond Sutra" holds great cultural and historical significance in Japan. It represents the beginning of a new era in the dissemination of knowledge through printing technology. The production of this book marked a turning point in the availability and accessibility of written materials, allowing for the wider distribution of religious texts and knowledge throughout the country.

In conclusion, the first book to be printed in Japan was the "Diamond Sutra," produced using woodblock printing in 868 AD. This significant milestone paved the way for the future development of printing technology in Japan and revolutionized the dissemination of knowledge and information in the country.