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

Gold and silver leaf pieces are spread over gradated madder red paper. Ruled lines are represented by gold leaf strings while the upper and lower parts of the paper are decorated with gold and silver leaf and powder, over which a flower arabesque pattern is printed. On this lavishly decorated, gorgeous paper, "Lotus Sutra Chapter 19: Blessings of Teachers of the Law" is transcribed with skillful brushwork. It is written with sumi in different shades in Yukinari-like Japanese semi-cursive style, suggesting that this was written by an outstanding calligrapher. While Kunojikyo and Heikenokyo sutras are famous as examples of Ippongyo (a sutra transcribed in such a way that one person copies one volume of the sutra), it can be said that this scroll also constitutes a typical example of Ippongyo. Even the different levels of oxidation on the gold and silver powder and silver leaf pieces add an artistic touch to the paper. This was formerly possessed by Daiunin Temple in Tottori.