Six Thousand Volumes Printed in Fuzhou
The Song-Edition Buddhist Canon (宋版一切経) is a Southern Song Buddhist canon of 6,102 folded volumes printed in Fuzhou, China, owned by Daigoji in Daigo Garan-cho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, which in 2017 was designated a National Treasure.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records 6,102 folded volumes owned by Daigoji, first designated an Important Cultural Property in 1964.
According to the Agency, it is among the richest canons in both quality and quantity.
The Canon
According to the Agency, it combines the Dongchan Temple and Kaiyuan Temple editions, both printed in Fuzhou.
Tradition holds that Chogen donated it in 1195, but a sutra box inscribed 1198 suggests it was assembled in several stages.
What to Look For
More than six thousand volumes of the complete canon in Southern Song printings have come down together at Daigoji.
Notice how printings from two Fuzhou temples are combined.
Visiting the Song-Edition Buddhist Canon
The canon is owned by Daigoji and is not always on display; check the temple's announcements.
Q&A
- When was it designated a National Treasure?
- On 15 September 2017.
- How many volumes are there?
- 6,102.
- Where was it printed?
- In Fuzhou, in two temple editions.
- Who donated it?
- Chogen, in 1195, according to tradition.
- Was it assembled at once?
- No; a box dated 1198 suggests several stages.
Basic Information
| Name | Song-Edition Buddhist Canon (宋版一切経) |
|---|---|
| Location | Daigoji, 1 Daigo Garan-cho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture |
| Designation | National Treasure (books) |
| Year Designated | Designated 2017/9/15 (Heisei 29) |
| Quantity | 6,102 folded volumes |
| Dimensions | Not recorded in the Agency for Cultural Affairs database |
| Owner | Daigoji |
| Public Access | Not always on display |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs Database: Song-Edition Canon (Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/201/00011768
- Cultural Heritage Online: Song-Edition Canon (Japanese)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/429086
Last verified: 2026.10.01