National Treasures & Important Cultural Properties
of National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, Japan

　　This volume is one of a set of sutra volumes called ‘Sutras with the red stamp of Zenko (Zenko syuin kyo)’ because the ends of the volumes are stamped with the red stamp of “Zenko (善光).” Many of the manuscripts of “Zenko syuin kyo” are written in superb calligraphy and thus they are known as copies of sutra representing the late Nara period (710–794). At present, the manuscripts of around 30 volumes remain. They feature detailed colophons indicating the date of proofreading of the original scripts (kangyo), the date of transcription, the names of those who transcribed them, who did the proofreading (up to three proofreaders) and who oversaw the binding and the number of sheets of paper.
　　There is a lot of uncertainty about “Zenko syuin kyo,” however, it is thought to be a relic of the project for transcribing all sutras planed by Zenko, a nun who administered the general affairs of the Hokkeji Imperial Convent. It is known that this transcription project began in Tempyo Shoho 7 (755) and continued until the twelfth month of Tempyo Hoji 3 (759), but nothing is certain after that.
　　This volume was transcribed by the copyist Ichinan Horo (一難宝郎) in September 27, Tempyo Hoji 3 (759). It can be regarded as outstanding among the manuscripts of sutras in the Nara Dynasty era as his brush strokes are remarkably excellent. Ichinan Horo was born in Kudara County of Settsu Province and is likely to have been a descendant of the people from Beakje (Kudara) in Korean Peninsula. When he copied this volume, he was thirty-nine years old.