A wooden box lacquered in red and black which has been completely gilded on all surfaces with genuine gold leaf containing an early Edo period Book of the writings of Rennyo of the pure land sect of Buddhism. The book contained is an early wood block printed Gojō Ofumi by Rennyo (1415-1499), the eighth head priest of Honganji and one of the central figures in the history of Jōdo Shinshū. The Ofumi are his pastoral letters setting out Shin Buddhist doctrine and rules of conduct. The eighty letters in five fascicles known as the Ofumi of Rennyo, eighth head of Honganji, are said to have been compiled during the tenure of the ninth head, Jitsunyo. Beginning with the tenth head, Shōnyo, they were published and distributed to followers, and in this way played an important role in the propagation of the teachings. Copies bearing, at the end of each fascicle of the Ofumi, the signature and kaō [stylized written monogram] of the head priest of Honganji who authorized and bestowed the copy are known as shōhan-bon or “certified copies”. The present work is a set of the Gojō Ofumi bearing the certification of Jakunyo Shonin (1651-1725) 14th head of Nishi Honganji. The book itself is 22 x 27 x 3 cm (8-3/4 x 11 x 1-1/4 inches. The cover is worn from centuries of use. And appears to have been rebound in the traditional five hole manner at a later Edo date. The gilded box is 27.5 x 31 x 7.5 cm (11 x 12-1/2 x 3 inches) and is in excellent condition but for rubbing and wear to the gold, revealing the brush strokes and texture of the lacquer beneath.
Jakunyo Shonin (1651-1725) was the fourteenth head of Nishi Honganji, active during the early to middle Edo period. Following the death of his father, Ryōnyo Shōnin, Jakunyo succeeded him as the fourteenth head of Nishi Honganji at the remarkably young age of twelve. He organized and consolidated the various institutions of Honganji, and in Genroku 8 (1695) rebuilt the lecture hall of the Gakurin [the Honganji seminary], working to promote the advancement of doctrinal learning. In addition to constructing the sutra repository (kyōzō) and rebuilding the Ōtani Mausoleum, he rebuilt Tsukiji Honganji at Tsukiji, to which Asakusa Honganji had been relocated after its destruction in the Great Fire of Meireki.
