JAPAN, early printing, circa 770 AD.A “hyakumanto” pagoda with associated...

printing examples datable existence possible exception single earlier wood korean japan pagoda nara inscribed oldest temples printed characters york early circa contender associated seven scroll sliding rolls pine fitted blocks sold rooms period covering column labels distributed remaining great october “hyakumanto” high finial works “l526”).the thousand capital metal similar christie's 1988 16-17 ad.a “dharani” text repairs remains assembled width base traces paint detachable interior cavity containing block-printed paper dharani charm neat komor manuscript inventory number wooden pagodas commissioned empress shotoku gratitude suppression rebellion prayer future dispersed centuries today horyuji retains uncertain donald mary hyde collection 1990 turned small mathias miniature protection original three-tier condition provenance million realm allocation