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Describe the progress of print in Japan ?

Brief description of print in Japan : (i) Buddhist missionaries from China introduced hand - printing technology into Japan around 768 - 770 C.E. The oldest Japanese book, printed in 868 C.E. is the Buddhist Diamond Sutra, containing six sheets of text and woodcut illustrations. Pictures were printed on textiles, playing cards and paper money.

(ii) In medieval Japan, poets and prose writers were regularly published, and books were cheap and abundant.

(iii) Printing of visual material led to interesting publishing practices. In the late eighteenth century, in the flourishing urban circles at Edo (later to be known as Tokyo ), illustrated collections of paintings depicted and elegant urban culture, involving artists, courtesans and teahouse gatherings.

(iv) Libraries and bookstores were packed with hand - printed material of various types - books on women, musical instruments, calculations, tea ceremony, flower arrangements, proper etiquette, cooking and famous places.