Ancient Sacred Treasures of the Main Shrine

Hongū Goryō Koshinpō-rui: A Dazzling Treasury of Heian Court Art Preserved by the Gods of Kasuga

Deep within the sacred forest of Kasuga Taisha in Nara lies one of Japan's most remarkable treasures — a collection of 292 exquisite objects known as the Hongū Goryō Koshinpō-rui, or "Ancient Sacred Treasures Offered to the Main Shrine." Designated as a single National Treasure in 1955, this breathtaking ensemble ranges from lacquered zithers and jeweled swords to painted arrows, mirror stands, and delicate cords — each a masterpiece crafted in the Heian period (794–1185) at the height of Japan's courtly civilization. Together, they form a rare window into the sensibility, technical virtuosity, and spiritual life of Japan's classical age.

A Thousand Years of Sacred Offering

The word shinpō (神宝) literally means "divine treasure" — an offering made to the gods. In the Heian period, such offerings evolved beyond symbolic objects to encompass everything the deities might wish to enjoy in their heavenly life: musical instruments, writing implements, weapons, clothing, mirrors, and furniture. At Kasuga Taisha, founded in 768 as the tutelary shrine of the powerful Fujiwara clan, this tradition of devotion reached extraordinary heights.

Historical records trace these imperial offerings back more than a thousand years. The chronicle Sandai Jitsuroku notes that sacred treasures were offered from the time the shrine was founded. By the year 989, during the reign of Emperor Ichijō, the formal presentation of treasures at Kasuga had become an established court custom — one that would continue for nearly three centuries, with emperors and empresses personally commissioning these offerings until the year 1286. The Hongū Goryō Koshinpō-rui represents the accumulated legacy of these sacred presentations, preserved through careful stewardship by generations of Kasuga priests.

What makes this collection so exceptional is its provenance. These objects were not purchased, excavated, or gathered from private collectors. They were placed directly within the four main sanctuaries of Kasuga Taisha — housed in the very sacred space where the deities reside — and removed only when newer offerings took their place, a practice known as tekkabon. For a millennium, they remained under the shrine's unbroken protection.

Why This Collection Is a National Treasure

The Agency for Cultural Affairs designated the Hongū Goryō Koshinpō-rui a National Treasure on February 2, 1955, recognizing it as an irreplaceable ensemble of Heian-period courtly craftsmanship. Three qualities elevate this collection to the highest rank of national heritage.

First, technical excellence: every object was created by the finest artisans of the imperial court, using the most advanced techniques of their time. The makie lacquerwork, mother-of-pearl inlay (raden), gold and silver metalwork, and lacquer-inlay (heimon) decoration collectively represent the pinnacle of Heian decorative art.

Second, aesthetic refinement: these are not merely beautiful objects but expressions of the elegant miyabi sensibility that defined Japan's classical court culture. The designs — cranes soaring above marshlands, butterflies among autumn grasses, geese crossing moonlit waters — embody the poetic sensitivity immortalized in The Tale of Genji.

Third, historical integrity: as a preserved group of objects from a single sacred context, the collection offers scholars an unparalleled resource for understanding Heian material culture. Few surviving assemblages can match its breadth, authenticity, and continuity.

Highlights of the Collection

Visiting the Collection

The treasures are housed in the Kasuga Taisha Kokuhōden (National Treasure Museum), a modern gallery opened along the shrine's approach path. Because of the collection's size and fragility, only a rotating selection of pieces is displayed at any one time, with exhibitions changing every few months. This means each visit offers something new — from swords and arrows in one season to zithers, mirror stands, and ritual implements in another.

The museum is thoughtfully designed to let visitors appreciate each object at close range. Small exhibit cases use low-reflection glass and discreetly integrated overhead lighting, so the finest details of the makie and mother-of-pearl are visible without distracting glare. A pair of massive dadaiko drums — themselves National Treasures — stand guard at the entrance, hinting at the cultural depth held within.

After visiting the museum, walk the forested path to the main shrine itself, where these offerings once resided. The experience of seeing a thousand-year-old zither and then standing before the sanctuary for which it was crafted is one of the most moving encounters with heritage that Japan can offer.

Around Kasuga Taisha

Kasuga Taisha sits at the eastern edge of Nara Park, making it an ideal anchor for a full day of cultural exploration. Within walking distance, visitors can encounter many of Japan's most important historical sites.

• Tōdai-ji — Home to the Great Buddha (Daibutsu), a colossal bronze figure housed in one of the world's largest wooden buildings.
• Kōfuku-ji — Once the family temple of the Fujiwara clan, with its iconic five-story pagoda and treasure hall of Buddhist sculpture.
• Nara National Museum — Renowned for its collections of Buddhist art, especially during the annual Shōsō-in Exhibition each autumn.
• Kasuga-yama Primeval Forest — A UNESCO World Heritage zone of untouched forest, considered sacred since ancient times.
• Manyō Botanical Garden — Adjacent to Kasuga Taisha and famous for its spectacular spring wisteria blossoms.
• The Sacred Deer of Nara — Considered divine messengers, the roaming deer are inseparable from the identity of the Kasuga precinct.