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.

Please note - One book is missing the back cover and has only 8 diptychs.

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. Inside pages have slight soiling, creasing, and rubbing at edges. One book has only 8 diptychs and is missing the back cover. One book has staining at top edge of pages. Bindings of both books broken. Please see photos for details.