Xixia language studies and the Lotus Sutra (I)

Tokyo: The Institute of Oriental Philosophy. The Journal of Oriental Studies, 2005 Vol. 15, p. 170-199.It is probable that some Xixia editions of the Lotus Sutra are printed with movable wood-type xylography, but it is difficult to affirm this. As in the case of the Huayan jing (AvataµsakasËtra), letters indicating the sheet number are printed in the middle of the right margin, for example (Fahua [lotus flower] di yi [no. 1]). There are 20 lines on each sheet. A sheet would usually be folded into four sections (accordion style), with each section containing 5 lines. There are three ways in which the sheets were folded (other ways are conceivable but, in the case of the Lotus Sutra, the three styles described below are certainly used). The margin, on which the sheet number is printed, is on the right edge of the sheet and, in all cases, the preceding sheet is pasted on top of this margin (thus, the last line of text of the preceding sheet is pasted over the margin). A-type: For this type, the fold is made at the join (between the last line of text of the preceding (right) sheet and the first line of text of the next (left) sheet). B-type: In this type, the fold is made before the last line of text on the right sheet (i.e. before the join/pasting line).