Nihon Ryoiki (Volumes 2 and 3)

Japan's Oldest Buddhist Tale Collection

The Nihon Ryoiki (Volumes 2 and 3) (日本霊異記〈中下〉) is a Heian-period manuscript of volumes two and three of the Nihon Ryoiki in two folded books, owned by Raigoin in Ohara, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, which in 1977 was designated a National Treasure.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs records two folded books 25.8 by 14.4 centimetres, of 28 and 61 sheets, owned by Raigoin.

According to the Agency, the Nihon Ryoiki, in three volumes, was written in the early Heian period by Kyokai, a monk of Nara, and is famous as Japan's oldest collection of Buddhist tales.

The Manuscript

According to the Agency, early copies are rare; until this find, the only Heian manuscript was the first volume held by Kofukuji.

The Raigoin manuscript of volumes two and three was discovered more recently.

What to Look For

The Agency values it as an early manuscript that fills many gaps in other copies, preserving almost completely the prefaces to volumes two and three, and is important for studying how the work was compiled and what its original looked like.

Notice the almost complete prefaces to volumes two and three.

Visiting the Nihon Ryoiki (Volumes 2 and 3)

The manuscript is owned by Raigoin and is not on regular display; watch for exhibition announcements.