National Treasure

At Jingo-ji in Takao, Kyoto, this National Treasure Yakushi Nyorai stands about 170.6 cm, carved from a single block of kaya wood, with a stern early-Heian face.

At Kyoto's Senbon Shakado stand six unpainted wooden Kannon carved in 1224 by Jokei, Japan's only complete Kamakura set of six and now National Treasures.

The 45 rules Mongaku set in 1185 for the Jingoji temple he revived, written out by Nakayama Tadachika and stamped with Go-Shirakawa's vermilion handprints.

The National Treasure 'Rigen Daishi Handwritten Disposition' preserved at Daigo-ji Temple in Kyoto is an official document written in 907 CE by the temple's founder, the monk Shōbō (Rigen Daishi). Recording the transfer of temple management to a senior disciple in his final years, this single handscroll is an exceptionally rare example of early Heian-period calligraphy and a vital primary source for the history of Japanese Buddhism. It is periodically displayed at Daigo-ji's Reihōkan Museum and in special exhibitions at major museums across Japan.

Discover the Rimōhitsu Hōken Hyō, a National Treasure document attributed to Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi) at Daigo-ji Temple in Kyoto. This 9th-century calligraphy masterpiece records the presentation of tanuki-hair brushes to Emperor Saga, revealing the origins of Japanese brush-making culture.

Discover the Ruijū Utaawase, a National Treasure anthology of over 200 Heian-period poetry competitions preserved at Yōmei Bunko in Kyoto. Explore its literary significance, exquisite calligraphy, and the aristocratic world of waka poetry contests.

The only manuscript of the Ruiju Koshu, a classified edition of the Man'yoshu compiled by Fujiwara no Atsutaka, held by Ryukoku University, Kyoto; a National Treasure since 1953.

The National Treasure Wakan-shō Gekan (Saisen), held at the Yōmei Bunko in Kyoto, is a surviving portion of the Wakan Rōeishū anthology transcribed on brilliantly decorated paper (saisen) with calligraphy attributed to Fujiwara no Yukinari, one of Heian Japan's Three Great Calligraphers. Discover the exquisite fusion of poetry, brushwork, and decorative paper arts from a thousand years ago.

A Nara-period illustrated sutra of the Buddha's life, pictures above and text below, held by Johonrendaiji, Kyoto; a National Treasure since 1952.

At Kyoto's Kitano Tenmangu, eight National Treasure scrolls of about 1219 trace Sugawara no Michizane from official to vengeful thunder god to the deity Tenjin.

Tawaraya Sotatsu's pair of gold-leaf screens of the Wind God and Thunder God, owned by Kenninji in Kyoto and deposited with the Kyoto National Museum.

Momoyama gold-ground wall paintings of pines and flowers by Hasegawa Tohaku's workshop, made for Hideyoshi's Shounji and now kept at Chishakuin in Kyoto.

Gold-ground wall paintings at Chishakuin, Kyoto, including Tohaku's Maple and his son Kyuzo's Cherry Blossoms, made for Hideyoshi's Shounji guest hall.

Four gold-ground sliding-door panels of pine and plum by Hasegawa Tohaku's workshop, made for Hideyoshi's Shounji guest hall and now kept at Chishakuin.

Four gold-ground alcove panels of a great pine with sunset hibiscus and chrysanthemums by Hasegawa Tohaku's workshop, now at Chishakuin in Kyoto. National Treasure.

A Kamakura portrait of Shinran drawn in ink lines alone by Sen'amidabutsu, son of Fujiwara no Nobuzane; one of the finest nise-e, owned by Hongwanji in Kyoto.

The forty-eight scroll illustrated biography of Honen at Chion-in, Kyoto, 548 metres long and among the largest picture scrolls; a National Treasure since 1955.

A pair of Heian Two World mandalas at Jingoji in Kyoto, drawn only in gold and silver on purple twill silk; the oldest large mandala, recovered by Mongaku in 1184.

A 15th-century ink painting at Taizoin, Kyoto: Josetsu's answer to shogun Ashikaga Yoshimochi's riddle of catching a catfish with a gourd, with 31 Zen poems.

Daigo-ji's eighth-century Illustrated Sutra of Cause and Effect runs painted scenes of the Buddha's life above the text, an early root of Japan's picture scrolls.