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Woodblock printing spread to Japan in the 8th century, only shortly after it took off in China, and numerous examples of the ''[[hyakumanto darani|hyakumantô darani]]'', small woodblock-printed scrolls produced by the Japanese Imperial Court in [[764]]-[[770]], remain extant.

Woodblock printing spread to Japan in the 8th century, only shortly after it took off in China, and numerous examples of the ''[[hyakumanto darani|hyakumantô darani]]'', small woodblock-printed scrolls produced by the Japanese Imperial Court in [[764]]-[[770]], remain extant.

Paper, first invented in China, was first introduced to the Islamic world around the same time, via the [[Silk Road]]. Printing was introduced to the Muslim world in the same manner, in or around the 11th century, but Islam rejected the mechanical reproduction of sacred texts; the Quran and other holy texts continued to be produced by hand, and the printing press began to be used in the Arab world only in the 18th century.

Paper, first invented in China in the 1st century BCE,<ref>Gallery labels, Royal Ontario Museum.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/48532570997/sizes/l/]</ref> was first introduced to the Islamic world also around the 8th century CE, via the [[Silk Road]]. Printing was introduced to the Muslim world in the same manner, in or around the 11th century, but Islam rejected the mechanical reproduction of sacred texts; the Quran and other holy texts continued to be produced by hand, and the printing press began to be used in the Arab world only in the 18th century.

Meanwhile, in Western Europe, Johannes Gutenberg of Mainz developed a printing press method in the 1440s that scholars believe was invented independently of Chinese techniques.

Meanwhile, in Western Europe, Johannes Gutenberg of Mainz developed a printing press method in the 1440s that scholars believe was invented independently of Chinese techniques.