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The ''Hyakumantô darani'' are a series of one million miniature wooden pagodas and the one million copper-plate printed ''dhâranî'' (Buddhist charms) slips of paper contained within. They represent the oldest extant printed matter anywhere in the world.

The ''Hyakumantô darani'' are a series of one million miniature wooden pagodas and the one million copper-plate printed ''dhâranî'' (Buddhist charms) slips of paper contained within. They represent the oldest extant printed matter anywhere in the world.

The one million miniature pagodas and corresponding charms were commissioned by [[Empress Koken|Empress Kôken]] in the year [[764]]; production was completed in 770. The pagodas are each three stories tall in design; roughly 8.5 inches (21.5 cm) in height. They each contain a rolled-up strip of paper, copper-plate printed with one of four ''dhâranî'' charms in classical Chinese, four parts of the full six sections of the Sutra of the Great Incantations of Undefiled Pure Light (J: ''mukujôkô daidarani kyô''; Skt. ''Vimalasuddhaprabhasa mahadharani sutra''). Analysis of the wear in the printing reveals that three sets of blocks or plates were used for the printing (objects printed by the third set are especially rare today); the sutras were printed two to a sheet, which was then cut to produce separate strips to fill two separate miniature pagodas.

The one million miniature pagodas and corresponding charms were commissioned by [[Empress Koken|Empress Kôken]] in the year [[764]], after defeating a rebellion by [[Emi no Oshikatsu]];<ref>"Miniature stupas (hyakumantô)," gallery labels, British Museum.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/20701499460/in/dateposted-public/]</ref> production was completed in 770. The pagodas are each three stories tall in design; roughly 8.5 inches (21.5 cm) in height. They each contain a rolled-up strip of paper, copper-plate printed with one of four ''dhâranî'' charms in classical Chinese, four parts of the full six sections of the Sutra of the Great Incantations of Undefiled Pure Light (J: ''mukujôkô daidarani kyô''; Skt. ''Vimalasuddhaprabhasa mahadharani sutra''). Analysis of the wear in the printing reveals that three sets of blocks or plates were used for the printing (objects printed by the third set are especially rare today); the sutras were printed two to a sheet, which was then cut to produce separate strips to fill two separate miniature pagodas.

The pagodas were distributed in 770/4 to the top ten Buddhist temples of the time, namely [[Daian-ji]], [[Genko-ji|Genkô-ji]], [[Kofuku-ji|Kôfuku-ji]], [[Yakushi-ji]], [[Todai-ji|Tôdai-ji]], [[Sadai-ji|Sadai-ji]], [[Horyu-ji|Hôryu-ji]], [[Kofuku-ji (Yamashiro)|Kôfuku-ji (Yamashiro province)]], [[Shitenno-ji|Shitennô-ji]], and [[Sufuku-ji|Sûfuku-ji]]. The million pagodas being divided among ten temples, each thus received 100,000 copies; within each temple, the miniature pagodas were arranged in a particular fashion, with each grouping of ten thousand pagodas headed by a special "commander" pagoda with seven stories, or tiers, and each temple's total group of 100,000 headed by a "general" pagoda with thirteen tiers.  

The pagodas were distributed in 770/4 to the top ten Buddhist temples of the time, namely [[Daian-ji]], [[Genko-ji|Genkô-ji]], [[Kofuku-ji|Kôfuku-ji]], [[Yakushi-ji]], [[Todai-ji|Tôdai-ji]], [[Sadai-ji|Sadai-ji]], [[Horyu-ji|Hôryu-ji]], [[Kofuku-ji (Yamashiro)|Kôfuku-ji (Yamashiro province)]], [[Shitenno-ji|Shitennô-ji]], and [[Sufuku-ji|Sûfuku-ji]]. The million pagodas being divided among ten temples, each thus received 100,000 copies; within each temple, the miniature pagodas were arranged in a particular fashion, with each grouping of ten thousand pagodas headed by a special "commander" pagoda with seven stories, or tiers, and each temple's total group of 100,000 headed by a "general" pagoda with thirteen tiers.  

*"[http://www.wdl.org/en/item/2927/ One Million Small Wooden Pagodas and Dharani Prayers]." World Digital Library. 7 May 2009. Accessed 2 February 2010.

*"[http://www.wdl.org/en/item/2927/ One Million Small Wooden Pagodas and Dharani Prayers]." World Digital Library. 7 May 2009. Accessed 2 February 2010.

*"[http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/asia/s/st%C5%ABpas_known_as_the_hyakuman.aspx Stupas known as the Hyakuman To]." British Museum. Accessed 2 February 2010.

*"[http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/asia/s/st%C5%ABpas_known_as_the_hyakuman.aspx Stupas known as the Hyakuman To]." British Museum. Accessed 2 February 2010.

[[Category:Nara Period]]

[[Category:Nara Period]]

[[Category:Historical Documents]]

[[Category:Historical Documents]]