An 1840s Woodblock Printed Book: Collection of Ema from Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima

Tempo era, 1830-1844
when closed: 10" x 7 1/4" x 1/4", 25.5 cm x 18.5 cm x 1 cm
36 pages

This old book--probably 180 years old--is hand printed using carved wood blocks. Its cover is missing.

It shows the ema in the collection of the esteemed Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima: the torii
of the shrine is especially notable because it appears to float in the water at high tide. Quoting from Wikipedia:

The most recognizable and celebrated feature of the Itsukushima shrine, is its 50-foot-tall (15 m) vermilion otorii gate ("great gate"), built of decay-resistant camphor wood. The placement of an additional leg in front of and behind each main pillar identifies the torii as reflecting the style of Ryōbu Shintō (dual Shinto), a medieval school of esoteric Japanese Buddhism associated with the Shingon Sect. The torii appears to be floating only at high tide. When the tide is low, it is approachable by foot from the island. Gathering shellfish near the gate is popular at low tide. At night, powerful lights on the shore illuminate the structure. The current torii dates to 1875, although there has been one on that site since 1168.

The ema pictured in the book--there are seven of them--are more than likely large-scale and not like the small ones or ko ema that are often seen hanging outside Shinto shrines.

Large, elaborately painted ema are also a feature of shrines and were probably offered as a form of donation and ostentation from a wealthy patron.

The book is rich in writing, all wood block printed, and its age in combination with the esteemed source of its content make this a desirable thing to own.

Recommended.