National Treasures of Kyoto

Nearly 70,000 documents and sacred texts from the Nara to the Meiji period at Daigoji, Kyoto, a National Treasure since 2013.

Discover the National Treasure calligraphy by Shūhō Myōchō (National Master Daitō), founder of Daitokuji Temple. Written in 1330 for a female Zen practitioner, this masterpiece is preserved at Daisenin sub-temple in Kyoto.

Discover the National Treasure calligraphy by Zen master Shūhō Myōchō (Daitō Kokushi), bestowing the name "Kanzan" upon his disciple in 1329. Learn about this pivotal work in Japanese Zen history, now deposited at the Kyoto National Museum.

Discover the National Treasure calligraphy of Daitō Kokushi — a 1330 certificate of dharma transmission from Zen master Shūhō Myōchō to Kanzan Egen, preserved at Myōshin-ji temple in Kyoto. Learn about its significance in Japanese Zen Buddhism.

Discover the National Treasure calligraphy "Kandoku Shinsen-bō" by Zen master Shūhō Myōchō (Daitō Kokushi), housed at Shinjuan sub-temple in Daitokuji, Kyoto. Learn about its historical significance, the art of bokuseki, and how to visit this rarely seen masterpiece.

Discover the Dainichi-kyō Kaidai, a National Treasure scroll handwritten by Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi), one of Japan's legendary "Three Brushes." Housed at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Daigo-ji Temple in Kyoto, this rare manuscript reveals the master calligrapher's personal study notes from Tang Dynasty China.

Discover the Dailōtan-kyō Volume 3, a National Treasure Buddhist sutra copied in 673 CE during the Tang Dynasty. Housed at Chion-in temple in Kyoto, this ancient cosmological scripture offers a rare glimpse into early Buddhist manuscript culture.

Discover the National Treasure autograph letter of Emperor Takakura, preserved at UNESCO World Heritage Ninna-ji Temple in Kyoto. Written in 1178 to thank his half-brother for prayers ensuring the safe birth of the future Emperor Antoku, this is the sole surviving example of the emperor's handwriting.

A Heian tachi by Ko-Bizen Masatsune at the Kyoto National Museum, a National Treasure since 1961, typical of the smith and in sound condition.

Three documents of 780 to 785 on the ordination of Saicho, founder of Japanese Tendai, held by Raigoin in Ohara, Kyoto; a National Treasure since 1955.

Eleventh-century kana letters attributed to Fujiwara no Yukinari, owned by Kyukyodo, Kyoto, a National Treasure since 1952, once hidden on the back of a Buddhist text.

Discover the National Treasure calligraphy scroll attributed to Fujiwara no Yukinari, one of Japan's legendary Three Great Calligraphers (Sanseki). Known as the Honno-ji Gire, this Heian-period masterpiece is owned by Honno-ji Temple in Kyoto and exhibited at the Kyoto National Museum.

The only early manuscript, copied in 1114, of Japan's oldest dictionary, compiled by Kukai, at Kozanji, Kyoto; a National Treasure since 1952.

The archives of Toji in Kyoto, 24,067 documents from the Nara to the early Edo period, held by Kyoto Prefecture; a National Treasure since 1997 and on the Memory of the World Register.

The gilt bronze Shaka of Kanimanji in Kizugawa, Kyoto, 2.4 metres high, a National Treasure since 1953 and comparable to the Yakushi of Yakushiji.

Discover the Tōbō-ki, a National Treasure manuscript at Tō-ji temple in Kyoto. Compiled in the 14th century by scholar-monk Gōhō and his disciple Kenpō, this remarkable chronicle documents the rich history of Japan's most important Shingon Buddhist temple, from its founding in 796 CE through the medieval period.

A Heian manuscript of volumes two and three of the Nihon Ryoiki, Japan's oldest Buddhist tale collection, at Raigoin, Ohara; a National Treasure since 1977.

The National Treasure 'Ink Writing by Wuzhun Shifan: Certificate of Enlightenment for Enni' at Tofuku-ji Temple in Kyoto is a formal inka certificate written on silk in 1237 by the great Chinese Chan master Wuzhun Shifan for his Japanese disciple Enni Ben'en. This masterpiece of Zen calligraphy documents a pivotal moment in the transmission of Zen Buddhism from China to Japan, and stands as one of the finest examples of Southern Song dynasty calligraphy preserved in Japan.

Brushed by Shunjo a month before his death in 1227, this National Treasure at Kyoto's Sennyu-ji certifies that his disciple Shinkai inherited the master's teaching.

An early Heian maki-e box for a wish-granting jewel at Ninnaji, Kyoto, with painted guardian kings, a National Treasure since 1954.

Kyoto’s registered properties across designations, with featured heritage and travel notes.

The complete kokuhō catalogue — browse by prefecture, period, and category.

Nationwide jūyō bunkazai — architecture, sculpture, painting, crafts, and documents.