Heian

Amida hall in Kakuda, Miyagi, said to date from around 1177 and the oldest building in the prefecture: a plain thatched hall on huge pillars housing a great Amida.

Volume 10 of Sima Qian's Shiji, copied and annotated by Oe no Ieguni in 1073: Japan's oldest dated Shiji manuscript, now a National Treasure at Tohoku University.

A Heian copy of volume 25 of the Ruiju Kokushi, Sugawara no Michizane's classified history, once held by the Mibu family and now a National Treasure at Tohoku.

The late Heian main hall of Ujigami Shrine in Uji, Kyoto, a National Treasure since 1952, three inner shrines under one roof and the oldest surviving shrine building.

To fit an oversized Amida triad under a low roof, the builders of this small hall in Ohara folded the ceiling into a curved vault, the earliest of its kind in Japan.

A late Heian log storehouse northeast of Tō-ji's Lecture Hall, the temple's oldest dated building. It held Kūkai's treasures behind a fire moat now full of lotus.

The Heian three-storied pagoda of Joruriji in Kizugawa, Kyoto, moved from Kyoto in 1178 and a National Treasure since 1952.

The late Heian main hall of Joruriji in Kizugawa, Kyoto, a National Treasure since 1952 and the only surviving hall built to house nine Amidas.

The mid-Heian five-storied pagoda of Daigoji, Kyoto, completed in the 950s and a National Treasure since 1951, the oldest wooden building in Kyoto Prefecture.

The Yakushido of upper Daigoji, Kyoto, dedicated in 1124 and a National Treasure since 1959, one of the few surviving Heian buildings.

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.

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.

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.

The Kamowakeikazuchi Shrine Documents, designated as an Important Cultural Property, comprise 13,639 historical records spanning from the late Heian period to the Edo era. Preserved at Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto, this extraordinary archive includes decrees from Minamoto no Yoritomo, edicts from Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and approximately 1,400 consecutive monthly financial records—offering an unparalleled window into the history of one of Japan's most revered Shinto shrines.

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.

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.

A Tang manuscript of the Chinese dictionary Yupian at Kozanji, Kyoto, a National Treasure since 1952, lost in China and completed by the second half at Ishiyamadera.

A two-scroll Heian manuscript glossing the eighty-fascicle Flower Garland Sutra, giving its hard words a pronunciation and meaning. A National Treasure since 1952.