Shosoin Repository Treasures
A repository of treasures stored at Todai Temple in Nara thought to be the treasures of Emperor Shomu; these treasures represent the culture of Pure Land Buddhism
The Shosoin repository treasures are treasures stored at Todai Temple’s Shosoin in Nara. They are also called the Shosoin’s Imperial Articles. The basis of the collection consists of some 600 artifacts cherished by Emperor Shomu, donated by Empress Komyo in a dedication to the Great Buddha on the occasion of the 7th service for the dead on the 49th day after his death in 756. There is an inventory called the Todai-ji Kenmotsu-cho (Todai Temple Register of Donated Articles) that lists the items in the collection along with details about the items. Included are furnishings such as miniature zushi shrines, folding screens, and mirrors; dishware such as bowls and cups; apparel such as obi and jewelry; writing implements such as inkstones and brushes; musical instruments such as biwa lutes, koto, and shakuhachi vertical flutes; pieces for games such as go and sugoroku; ceremonial items for observances throughout the year; and Buddhist artwork. The majority of these are thought to have been produced in Japan, but there are also items made in Tang-dynasty China and the Korean kingdom of Silla, as well as some with connections to Southeast Asia, India, and Persia as shown by their materials, designs, or production techniques. It has been passed down that some items were removed from the collection, for instance, that medicinal items were used to treat the ill, and that Nakamaro Fujiwara, when he rebelled in 764, removed bows, arrows, and swords for fighting. Also stored in the collection are articles from the storehouses and halls of Todai Temple, as well as written documents that have been passed down. All these treasures are strictly curated, and the collection has reached a size of about 9,000 extant artifacts. After the Meiji Restoration, the Shosoin was placed under the administration of the Meiji government, but since 1884 it has the Imperial Household Agency has been solely responsible for administering it. Part of the collection is exhibited each year at the Shosoin exhibit held at Nara National Museum.
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Institutions Holding Related Materials
東大寺の寺宝を保管・公開することを目的に、平成23年（2011）10月に開館。「東大寺の歴史と美術」をテーマとして、常設展示および特集展示などを行っている。
宮内庁による正倉院の公式ホームページ。正倉院の宝物を用途分類・技法分類.により検索、また主な宝物は自動鑑賞により解説付きで閲覧できる。