Teachings of Yuanwu (Song-dynasty edition)

Yuanwu Keqin was a Chinese Buddhist monk of the Linji sect who lived during the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127). He is known for the Blue Cliff Record, a text of his teachings that were compiled and edited by his disciple, Ziwen. Comprising two volumes, this edition is a reprint published in 1238. The clear printing is accompanied by red kunten markings made in the Kamakura period (about 1185–1333) to help Japanese readers understand the text, as well as notes written by Zen monks in the Muromachi period (1336–1573). These annotations show how the text had been studied and used by the Zen sects in Japan operating under the Five Great Temples of Kyoto, known as Gozan. In fact, this valuable Song-dynasty version heavily influenced the locally published Gozan edition.

— Museum description: Kyushu National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.