The Eight Lives of Buddha, a Japanese Library - Handsome diptych illustration from the series "The Eight Lives of Buddha, a Japanese Library" (Shakka hasso Yamato bunko), a novel based on the life of Buddha that was released in installments. Designed by Toyokuni III, the full-color covers of the volumes form diptychs when placed together. The names of both Toyokuni III and Kunisada II appear on some of the sets. These attractive and colorful woodblocks are finely detailed and many feature deluxe printing techniques such as embossing or bokashi shading. An interesting genre of Edo era woodblock prints.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864) and Kunisada II (1823 - 1880)

Image Size - Single cover 7" x 4 5/8"; the two books form a diptych 7" x 8 1/4"; black and white diptychs 6 3/8" x 8 1/4" + margins as shown

Condition - Covers with good detail as shown. Slight soiling. One book has a large wormhole running half the pages, some repaired. Inside pages have slight soiling, creasing, and rubbing at edges. A few pages have small losses at edges. Please see photos for details.