National Treasure

A 1361 six-sided pillar of green schist carved with guardian deities at Fusaiji, Tachikawa, Tokyo, a National Treasure since 1953 and Japan's representative sekido.

A National Treasure tachi forged by Sadatsugu, a master swordsmith of the Ko-Aoe school in Bitchū Province during the Kamakura period. Sadatsugu was honored as one of Emperor Go-Toba's imperial rotation swordsmiths. This blade beautifully embodies the hallmarks of the Ko-Aoe tradition, including the distinctive sumi-hada steel grain and elegant koshi-zori curvature. Privately owned in Tokyo.

A mid-Kamakura tachi by Yoshihira of the Fukuoka Ichimonji school in a private collection, a National Treasure since 1963, once missing and since found.

A Kamakura tachi by Yoshifusa of the Ichimonji school in a private collection, a National Treasure since 1953, kept at full length and granted to the Shimazu by the shogun in 1667.

A Kamakura tachi by Rai Kunitoshi in a private collection, a National Treasure since 1952, a rare and elegant example of his irregular temper line.

A Kamakura tanto by Shintogo Kunimitsu located in Tokyo, a National Treasure since 1953, sound and showing his characteristics well.

Discover the National Treasure tantō inscribed "Chikushū-jū Sa," a masterwork by the legendary Nanbokuchō-period swordsmith Samonji. Learn about its bold hamon, prestigious lineage among Masamune's Ten Disciples, and how to appreciate Japanese sword artistry.

A tanto of 1334 by Nagashige of the Nagayoshi school in a private collection, a National Treasure since 1953 and a masterpiece of the Soshu tradition.

A Kamakura tanto by Rai Kunitsugu in a private collection, a National Treasure since 1955, his largest dagger and influenced by the Soshu style.

Discover the National Treasure bone repository vessel excavated from Miyajidake Shrine — a stunning Nara-period triple-layered cinerary urn of earthenware, bronze, and blown glass housed at the Tokyo National Museum, revealing ancient Japan's cremation practices and Silk Road connections.

Sixth-century gilt bronze horse trappings from the Saitobaru tombs, Miyazaki, now at the Gotoh Museum, Tokyo, a National Treasure since 1956, probably made in Silla.

Nara-period silver bowls and crystal beads buried beneath the Kondo of Kofukuji, Nara, found in 1884, a National Treasure since 1958.

Discover the Seven-Branched Sword (Shichishitō), a unique National Treasure from the 4th century preserved at Isonokami Shrine in Tenri, Nara. Learn about its gold-inlaid inscription, the Baekje-Japan diplomatic connection, and how to visit this ancient sacred site.

Nara-period objects found around the Great Buddha's pedestal at Todaiji during repairs in 1907 and 1908, a National Treasure since 1957.

A Buddha's footprint stone dated 753 at Yakushiji, Nara, a National Treasure since 1952, with footprints incised on top and inscriptions on all four sides.

The Bussokuseki-kahi, a National Treasure enshrined in the Lecture Hall of Yakushi-ji Temple in Nara, is one of Japan's oldest surviving poetry steles, dating to around 770 CE. Bearing 21 poems written in man'yōgana script praising the Buddha's sacred footprints, it preserves an authentic record of Nara-period faith and the earliest Japanese writing. Together with Japan's oldest Buddha Footprint Stone, it offers a profound connection to the history of Buddhism's transmission across Asia.

Four scrolls of the Kunoji Sutra, a decorated Lotus Sutra copied by the circle of Retired Emperor Toba, a National Treasure since 2017 and the oldest such set.

A Kamakura tanto by Awataguchi Yoshimitsu at the Kyushu Historical Museum, Fukuoka, a National Treasure since 1953, broad and short with a fine edge.

This Tang dynasty manuscript (7th–8th century) is the oldest surviving copy of Volume 6 of the Shishuo Xinshu (Shishuo Xinyu), a celebrated Chinese anecdote collection. Designated as a National Treasure, this fragment features elegant Tang calligraphy, Heian-period reading marks, and esoteric Buddhist texts on the verso — a testament to over a millennium of Sino-Japanese cultural exchange.

Discover the Sakuragaoka Dōtaku, a National Treasure collection of 14 bronze bells and 7 bronze halberds from the Yayoi period, unearthed in Kobe. See rare pictorial bronze bells at Kobe City Museum.