In this paper, by analyzing diaries from the Heian period, I shed light on the fact that handwritten sūtra transcription by women were not rare.
The Kechiengyō is one example of women’s handwriting. One type of currently existing Kechiengyō is called Kunōji-kyō. Kunōji-kyō is a common name of the Lotus Sūtra introduced to Kunōji temple. Among the existing 25 scrolls, women’s names are written on 15.
Considering these cases, the possibility that Kunōji-kyō was indeed handwritten by women cannot be excluded.
