Question

Write a short note on print in Japan? (10 CBSE)

Answer 1

Around AD 768-770 Buddhist missionaries from China introduced hand-printing technology into Japan .The oldest Japanese book, the Buddhist Diamond Sutra was printed in AD 868, it contained six sheets of text and woodcut illustrations.
Books were very popular in Japan. Poets and writers published their books regularly. Books were cheap and easily available.In Japan pictures were printed on textiles, playing cards and paper money.
Printing of pictures made publishing practices interesting. In the late eighteenth century, collections of paintings showing the urban culture were published.
There were pictures of artists, courtesans, and teahouse gatherings. Libraries and bookstores were filled with hand-printed books on women, musical instruments, calculations, tea ceremony, flower arrangements, proper etiquette, cooking and famous places.

Answer 2

The shift from hand printing to mechanical printing is termed as print revolution .For a period of one hundred years ,between 1450 and 1550 printing press were set up all over the Europe .In the 16th century about 200 million copies were sold in the European market .The book production  boomed in Europe . In mid 15th century 20 million copies of printed books flooded in the market.Expert printers and technicians from Germany travelled to other countries ,seeking jobs and helping start new presses.