Katsurei Zatsuki — an Edo-period guidebook that comprehensively covers information on the Katsuragi Shugendō tradition

From Shōgoin Monzeki, the head temple of the Honzan Shugendō sect in Kyoto’s Sakyo Ward, we were entrusted with the printing of the temple’s original Edo-period woodblocks of Katsurei Zatsuki.

Katsurei Zatsuki was compiled by the monk Chikō Shōnin as part of his efforts to revive the Katsuragi Shugendō tradition. It meticulously records his pilgrimage through the Twenty-eight Lodgings of Katsuragi, providing detailed notes on his journey.
In Kaei 3 (1850), during the late Edo period, this record was edited and published as a book containing a wide range of information about the Katsuragi Shugendō practice — essentially serving as a travel guidebook of its time.

The set of blocks we received comprises 15 double-sided blocks and one single-sided block, totaling 31 carved surfaces.
Despite being produced in the Edo period, they were remarkably well-preserved and ideal for high-quality hand printing.