The roots of woodblock printmaking in Japan intertwine with Buddhism. Religious teachings and printed images traveled east through China and Korea before arriving in Japan in the 8th century. The medium gained popularity through small printed images whose carving, inking and printing served as sacred acts. These early prints spanned a vast range of Buddhist imagery, from lines of sutras to images of deities. Today, these works are exceptionally rare. Browse our collection of Japanese Buddhist woodblock prints below.