National Treasure

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 Daigo-ji Monjo Shōgyō, a National Treasure collection of 69,378 manuscripts at Kyoto's UNESCO World Heritage Daigo-ji Temple. Explore centuries of Buddhist sacred teachings, imperial correspondence, and historical records preserved since the Nara period.

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.

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 National Treasure "Dengyo Daishi Doen-an and Sogo-cho," three 8th-century ordination documents of Saicho, founder of Japanese Tendai Buddhism. Housed at Raigo-in Temple in Kyoto's Ohara district, these ancient records reveal the personal history of one of Japan's most influential monks.

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.

The Toji Hyakugo Monjo is a collection of 24,067 historical documents spanning approximately 1,000 years from the 8th to 18th century, originally preserved at Toji temple in Kyoto. Designated a National Treasure of Japan in 1997 and inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register in 2015, this extraordinary archive is named after the one hundred paulownia boxes donated by feudal lord Maeda Tsunanori. Now housed at the Kyoto Institute, Library and Archives, the entire collection is digitized and freely accessible online.

The National Treasure Bronze Seated Shakyamuni Buddha at Kanimanji Temple in Kizugawa City, Kyoto, is a monumental gilt-bronze statue standing 240 cm tall and weighing 2.2 tons, dating back over 1,300 years to the Hakuhō period. As one of only four surviving large-scale gilt-bronze Buddhas from this era, it can be viewed at remarkably close range in this tranquil temple famous for its 'Grateful Crabs' legend.

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.

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.