National Treasures of Tokyo

A Warring States mirror from Luoyang at the Eisei Bunko, Tokyo, a National Treasure since 1967, inlaid in fine gold and silver with a rider fighting a tiger.

Discover the Kinsai Chōjū Unmon Dōban, a gold-painted bronze basin from China's Han Dynasty, housed at the Eisei Bunko Museum in Tokyo. Learn why this extraordinary archaeological artifact was designated a National Treasure of Japan.

Discover the Pigeon on a Peach Branch (Momohato-zu), a Japanese National Treasure attributed to Emperor Huizong of the Northern Song Dynasty. This exquisite silk painting from 1107 showcases the boneless (mokkotsu) technique, Slender Gold calligraphy, and a provenance tracing back to Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.

Designated as a National Treasure, Kokin Wakashū Volume 5 (Kōya-gire) is the oldest surviving manuscript of Japan's first imperially commissioned poetry anthology and a supreme masterpiece of kana calligraphy. Written around 1050 CE, this scroll of autumn poems showcases the dynamic Second Style attributed to Minamoto no Kaneyuki. Discover its profound significance, the three distinct calligraphic styles, and where to appreciate this millennium-old treasure.

A fifth-century bronze mirror of Suda Hachiman Shrine, Wakayama, with a 48-character inscription, a National Treasure since 1951 displayed at the Tokyo National Museum.

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.

A National Treasure dagger by Kyoto master Rai Kunitoshi, dated 1316 and made when he was about 76. Owned by Atsuta Jingu, it is shown at the Tokyo National Museum.

A thirteenth-century Southern Song painting of water buffalo attributed to Yan Ciping, owned by the Sen-oku Hakukokan; a National Treasure since 1957.

An unsigned National Treasure tanto by Soshu Sadamune at the Tokyo National Museum, once owned by a Karatsu lord, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and the Tokugawa shoguns.

A twelfth-century manuscript of the Manyoshu, Japan's oldest poetry anthology, copied by the celebrated calligrapher Fujiwara no Sadanobu onto luxurious mica-printed paper. Treasured by the Maeda lords of Kaga for over three centuries before being presented to the Emperor Meiji, it was designated a National Treasure in 2023 and is one of the Five Great Manyoshu of the Heian period.