Heian

At Kyoto's Tō-ji, this Heian-period palanquin carried the Buddha's relics in procession. Its lacquer imitates rosewood, inlaid with mother-of-pearl and gilt bronze.

Discover the Chunqiu Jingzhuan Jijie Volume 2 Fragment, a rare Tang dynasty manuscript and National Treasure housed at the Yūrinkan Museum in Kyoto. Learn about its history, significance, and how to visit.

Discover the Jōgū Shōtoku Hōō Teisetsu, the oldest surviving biography of Prince Shōtoku, designated as a National Treasure of Japan. This precious Heian-period manuscript is held at Chion-in Temple in Kyoto's Higashiyama district.

Discover the Sunshōan Shikishi 'Sukahara no Ason,' an Important Cultural Property at Kyoto's Nomura Museum. This Heian-period kana calligraphy fragment from a Kokin Wakashū codex inscribes a poem attributed to Sugawara no Michizane on lustrous Chinese karakami paper, ranked among Japan's Three Great Shikishi.

This National Treasure at the Kyoto National Museum is the oldest surviving copy of the Chinese classic Shishuo Xinyu, in seventh-century Tang regular script.

Discover the National Treasure "Zen'in Gakuji narabini Haiji" at Tōfuku-ji Temple in Kyoto—19 masterful calligraphy scrolls by Wuzhun Shifan and Zhang Jizhi from 13th-century Southern Song China, representing the finest surviving examples of Zen temple signboard calligraphy.

Twelve Southern Song volumes at Kyoto's Tofuku-ji form the Gisho Rokujo, a 10th-century Buddhist encyclopedia and the only known Song printing of the text.

This National Treasure is a handscroll containing a preface written by Emperor Gaozong (1107–1187), the founder of China's Southern Song dynasty, for the collected literary works of his father, Emperor Huizong — the last ruler of the Northern Song. Penned in 1154, this exceptionally rare example of imperial calligraphy is both a masterwork of brush art and a poignant tribute from a son to a father lost in the upheaval of the Jingkang Incident. The scroll also bears colophons by renowned scholars including Hu Sanxing and Wen Zhengming, and is deposited at the Kyoto National Museum.

Discover the extraordinary National Treasure deposited items found inside the Shaka Nyorai statue at Seiryō-ji Temple in Kyoto. From silk internal organs to Buddhist scriptures, these 10th-century artifacts offer a rare glimpse into Song-dynasty faith and medicine.

Discover the Song Dynasty Tripitaka (Sōhan Issaikyō) at Daigo-ji Temple in Kyoto — a National Treasure collection of 6,102 woodblock-printed Buddhist scriptures from 12th-century China, brought to Japan by the monk Chōgen.

Discover the Song Dynasty edition of Taiping Yulan, a 1,000-volume Chinese encyclopedia designated as a National Treasure of Japan. Preserved at Tofuku-ji Temple in Kyoto, these 103 surviving volumes date back to 1199 and represent one of the most important literary treasures connecting Japan and China.

Discover the National Treasure "Diamond Sutra Handwritten by Daikaku Zenji" at Ryōkōin temple in Kyoto's Daitoku-ji complex. This 13th-century Zen calligraphy masterpiece by Rankei Dōryū, founder of Kamakura's Kenchō-ji, represents one of the finest surviving examples of Song-dynasty brushwork in Japan.

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.

Discover the National Treasure tachi signed Masatsune, a masterwork of the Ko-Bizen school from the Heian period. Housed at Kyoto National Museum, this ancient Japanese sword exemplifies the refined artistry and technical brilliance of one of Japan's greatest swordsmiths.

Discover the Kana Letters Attributed to Fujiwara no Yukinari, a National Treasure of exquisite Heian-period calligraphy owned by Kyukyodo in Kyoto. Learn about its fascinating front-and-back history, artistic significance, and how to experience this masterpiece.

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.

Discover the Tenrei Banshō Meigi, a National Treasure housed at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kōzan-ji in Kyoto. Compiled by the monk Kūkai around 830 CE, this is the oldest extant Japanese dictionary of Chinese characters, preserved in a rare 1114 manuscript.

Discover the Nihon Ryōiki, Japan's oldest Buddhist tale collection, housed at Raigō-in Temple in Ohara, Kyoto. Learn about this National Treasure manuscript from the late Heian period, its literary significance, and how to visit the serene mountain temple where it was preserved.