National Treasure

The early Edo shoin of Nishi Honganji, Kyoto, a National Treasure since 1952, with a 162-mat audience hall and one of the largest shoin-style buildings.

The shoin and the two-mat Taian tea room of Myokian in Oyamazaki, Kyoto, thought to be the only tea room left by Sen no Rikyu; a National Treasure since 1951.

Myohoin's Momoyama kuri in Kyoto, said to be the kitchen for Hideyoshi's thousand-monk service: a 21.8 by 23.7 metre hall with massive exposed roof framing.

The hojo of Ryoginan at Tofukuji, Kyoto, of about 1387 and a National Treasure since 1963, the oldest surviving abbot's quarters in Japan.

The early Edo shoin of Ryokoin at Daitokuji, Kyoto, a National Treasure since 1961, containing the Mittan tea room said to reflect Kobori Enshu's taste.

The main hall of Rengeoin in Kyoto, rebuilt in 1266 to house a thousand Kannon images: a 35-bay hall of Kamakura-period wayo style, made a National Treasure in 1952.

Seven Kamakura scrolls at Kozanji, Kyoto, telling the stories of the Silla monks Uisang and Wonhyo, a National Treasure since 1952.

A National Treasure at Nishi Honganji, Kyoto: a handscroll on which Shinran, founder of Shin Buddhism, copied the Amida Sutra and noted commentaries in the margins.

Explore the Ishinpō (Volumes 1, 5, 7, 9 & 10 fragments) at Ninnaji Temple in Kyoto — Japan's oldest medical encyclopedia compiled in 984 CE. Learn about this National Treasure's history, significance, and how to see it at the UNESCO World Heritage temple.

The Kizaemon bowl at Kohoan, Daitokuji, Kyoto, a National Treasure since 1951, the representative great Ido tea bowl with fine kairagi glaze.

Discover the National Treasure Uta-awase (Volume 6, Ten-Volume Edition) at Kyoto's Yōmei Bunko — Japan's oldest anthology of poetry contest records, planned by regent Fujiwara no Yorimichi. This Heian-period masterpiece features exquisite kana calligraphy and preserves 170 years of courtly poetry traditions. Learn about its cultural significance, how to visit, and nearby heritage sites.

A Tang-dynasty stole of Toji, Kyoto, said to have come to Kukai from his teacher Huiguo, a National Treasure since 1953.

The Ōte-kagami at Kyoto's Yōmei Bunko gathers 307 calligraphy fragments across two oversized albums, from a 20-line Ōjōmu sutra leaf to a hand by Emperor Saga.

Discover the Omuro Sōshōki, a National Treasure housed at UNESCO World Heritage Site Ninnaji Temple in Kyoto. This six-scroll Kamakura-period manuscript chronicles the Buddhist ceremonies and achievements of the imperial abbots who led one of Japan's most prestigious monzeki temples.

A Heian maki-e box at Toji, Kyoto, that held the kesa said to have come from Kukai, a National Treasure since 1953, decorated with waves, fish and birds.

Discover the Kagura Wagon Hifu, a National Treasure scroll from the Heian period preserving Japan's oldest sacred kagura songs with wagon zither notation, held at the Yomei Bunko in Kyoto.

Emperor Kameyama's own draft prayer of 1299 for the founding of Nanzenji, Kyoto, a National Treasure since 1953.

Discover Kanjō Rekimei, a National Treasure handwritten by Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi), one of Japan's greatest calligraphers. This rare 9th-century document at Jingo-ji Temple records the historic first esoteric Buddhist initiation ceremonies in Japan, with Saichō's name at the top.

The National Treasure Kanmuryōjukyō Chū, preserved at Nishi Hongan-ji Temple in Kyoto, is a Kamakura-period handscroll in which Shinran, the founder of Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism, copied the Contemplation Sutra and filled every margin with meticulous annotations from commentaries by the Chinese master Shan-tao. Discovered in 1943, this rare autograph manuscript offers an extraordinary glimpse into the young founder's rigorous scriptural study and spiritual development.

Discover the National Treasure bokuseki calligraphy by Chinese Chan master Xutang Zhiyu, preserved at Daitoku-ji temple in Kyoto. Learn about its Zen heritage, tea ceremony significance, and how to view this masterpiece.