The Japanese book industry got its start in Buddhist monasteries, where monks hand-copied calligraphic scrolls called “kansubon.” However, because this format required repeated rolling and unrolling, kansubon were easily damaged and difficult to store safely. The leap to flat, folded pages was made around the 8th century via accordion-style books known as “orihon,” which were finished with a single-panel cover on top and bottom. Though not...Continue Reading