Exhibition/event has ended.
The 74th Annual Exhibition of Shōsō-in Treasures
Nara National Museum
FinishedReservation Required
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The Shoso-in treasures were once stored in Shoso-in, the storehouse of Todaiji Temple, and number approximately 9,000 items. The Shoso-in Treasures Exhibition is the 74th time that around 60 of these items are carefully selected and exhibited each year. This year's Shoso-in exhibition, as in previous years, will feature a wide variety of items, from beautiful crafts to documents that reflect the state of affairs in the Nara period.
The items presented by Empress Komyo to Todaiji Rushanabutsu on June 21, 756, on the occasion of Emperor Shomu's 49th birthday, are known as some of the most venerable treasures in Shoso-in. This year's exhibition will feature such artifacts as an octagonal mirror (mirror with gold and silver ornaments on a black lacquer ground) with a delicate and gorgeous lacquer-back gold and silver design, as well as zensenko (fragrant wood), which is highly esteemed as a famous fragrance along with oujukuko (ranjatai).
Also not to be missed is a silver jar associated with Emperor Shoutoku, daughter of Emperor Shomu and Empress Komyo. It is thought to have been presented to the Great Buddha on February 4, 767, when Emperor Shoutoku made a pilgrimage to Todaiji Temple.
This year's exhibition will also feature several treasures related to Nara-period dress. The rhinoceros horn fish-shaped waist ornaments and saie-mizudori-gata (bird-shaped ornaments) are thought to have been worn by people of high rank, either attached to their waistbands or sewn onto their clothing. The beautifully decorated rhinoceros horns and ivory are also noteworthy as a type of practical accessory.
In the Nara period (710-794), Buddhism played the role of national pacification, and pujas were widely held. The Gigaku-men Rikishi (masks for music and dance) were used at the Great Buddha Opening Ceremony in 752 (Tempyo-shoho 4), and the vivid red surface of these masks seems to bring to mind the scene of a gorgeous puja. The vividly colored patterns on the stools and the variety of openwork designs on the gilt-bronze banners must have added to the glamorous atmosphere of the puja. In addition, the Tetsusanko, an ancient Buddhist ritual implement dating from before the time of Kukai's transmission of full-fledged esoteric Buddhism, conveys the austere atmosphere of the Buddhist memorial services.
These numerous treasures have been preserved and handed down through the untiring efforts of people who respect tradition. The last exhibit, "Nishikishu Ayaashiginu Nadozacho" (dyed and woven fabrics pasted on byobu of Todaiji), is a fragment of old Nara-period fabrics that were made into byobu and arranged in 1833 when the temple was opened to the public in the Edo period (1603-1868). It has a symbolic significance as a first step of the preservation and arrangement in Shoso-in. Through these dyed and woven items, we hope that visitors will ponder the efforts to hand down the treasures to the present day.
The items presented by Empress Komyo to Todaiji Rushanabutsu on June 21, 756, on the occasion of Emperor Shomu's 49th birthday, are known as some of the most venerable treasures in Shoso-in. This year's exhibition will feature such artifacts as an octagonal mirror (mirror with gold and silver ornaments on a black lacquer ground) with a delicate and gorgeous lacquer-back gold and silver design, as well as zensenko (fragrant wood), which is highly esteemed as a famous fragrance along with oujukuko (ranjatai).
Also not to be missed is a silver jar associated with Emperor Shoutoku, daughter of Emperor Shomu and Empress Komyo. It is thought to have been presented to the Great Buddha on February 4, 767, when Emperor Shoutoku made a pilgrimage to Todaiji Temple.
This year's exhibition will also feature several treasures related to Nara-period dress. The rhinoceros horn fish-shaped waist ornaments and saie-mizudori-gata (bird-shaped ornaments) are thought to have been worn by people of high rank, either attached to their waistbands or sewn onto their clothing. The beautifully decorated rhinoceros horns and ivory are also noteworthy as a type of practical accessory.
In the Nara period (710-794), Buddhism played the role of national pacification, and pujas were widely held. The Gigaku-men Rikishi (masks for music and dance) were used at the Great Buddha Opening Ceremony in 752 (Tempyo-shoho 4), and the vivid red surface of these masks seems to bring to mind the scene of a gorgeous puja. The vividly colored patterns on the stools and the variety of openwork designs on the gilt-bronze banners must have added to the glamorous atmosphere of the puja. In addition, the Tetsusanko, an ancient Buddhist ritual implement dating from before the time of Kukai's transmission of full-fledged esoteric Buddhism, conveys the austere atmosphere of the Buddhist memorial services.
These numerous treasures have been preserved and handed down through the untiring efforts of people who respect tradition. The last exhibit, "Nishikishu Ayaashiginu Nadozacho" (dyed and woven fabrics pasted on byobu of Todaiji), is a fragment of old Nara-period fabrics that were made into byobu and arranged in 1833 when the temple was opened to the public in the Edo period (1603-1868). It has a symbolic significance as a first step of the preservation and arrangement in Shoso-in. Through these dyed and woven items, we hope that visitors will ponder the efforts to hand down the treasures to the present day.
Schedule | Oct 29 (Sat) 2022-Nov 14 (Mon) 2022 Reservation RequiredOpening Hours Information
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| Fee | Adults ¥2000, University and High School Students ¥1500, Junior High and Elementary School Students ¥500, Persons with Disability Certificates + 1 Companion free. | ||||
| Website | https://www.narahaku.go.jp/exhibition/special/special_exhibition/202210_shosoin/ | ||||
| Venue | Nara National Museum https://www.narahaku.go.jp/english/ | ||||
| Location | 50 Noborioji-cho, Nara-shi, Nara 630-8213 | ||||
| Access | 15 minute walk from exit 2 at Kintetsu-Nara Station on the Kintetsu line; From the East exit of Nara Station on the JR Kansai Main line, take the Nara Kotsu bus and get off at Himurojinja-Kokuritsuhakubutsukan. | ||||
| Phone | 050-5542-8600 | ||||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it |
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