About this objectBuddhist books were brought from the Chinese mainland in the form of manuscript paper scrolls in Literary Sinitic. Printing was being developed during this period and is used in Korean and Japan from at least the 8th century. This is one of the earliest known examples in Japan, a miniature scroll (c. 6 x 45 cm), printed with a Buddhist text. One million of these were commissioned by Empress Shōtoku (r. 764-770) and probably made by craftsmen in Nara. The paper scrolls were placed inside a miniature carved wooden stupa and distributed to temples throughout Japan. They were called 'The Million Stupa Dharani' or Hyakumantō darani (百万塔陀羅尼).
