Shosoin Treasure House — Attraction in Nara

"The Shōsō-in (正倉院) is the treasure house of Tōdai-ji Temple in Nara, Japan. The building is in the azekura (log-cabin) style with a raised floor and is located to the northwest of the Great Buddha Hall. The Shōsō-in houses artifacts connected to Emperor Shōmu (聖武天皇) (701–756) and Empress Kōmyō (光明皇后) (701–760), as well as arts and crafts from the Tempyō (天平) era of Japanese history.

In recent history, since 1994, the Imperial Household Agency's Office of the Shoso-in Treasure House, responsible for the administration of the repository, has been producing exact reproductions of ancient Nara textiles. Apart from the appearance and color, care has been given to reproducing the production and weaving style. The silk is donated each year by Empress Masako, who personally runs the Momijiyama Imperial Cocoonery at Tokyo...

The Shōsōin is located in a corner of Tōdai-ji Temple. During the Nara period, Empress Kōmyō, grieving the loss of her husband, gradually offered the personal belongings of Emperor Shōmu to the deities of Tōdai-ji. This act of devotion inadvertently preserved a treasure trove of human artistry and craftsmanship for world history.

Today, it is exceedingly rare to find everyday objects from the Tang dynasty in China, especially those used by royalty. Many of the Tang-era artifacts housed in the Shōsōin are not only unique in the modern world but have also been remarkably well preserved. Items such as a series of mother-of-pearl inlaid biwas (lutes), game tables, and other exquisite crafts still gleam as if newly made.

The Shōsōin is built in the azekura-zukuri style—a traditional Japanese architectural technique derived from China’s ancient “井干式” (well-frame) structure. It features interlocked triangular-sectioned logs stacked horizontally. The warehouse itself is grand and imposing, originally divided into three sections: south, north, and central. In modern times, a western storehouse was added to a newer building, where many treasures have been relocated for more meticulous conservation.

The Shōsōin is not open to the public. However, each autumn, during the annual inventory check, several hundred selected artifacts are exhibited at the Nara National Museum in the “Shōsōin Exhibition,” which draws large crowds every year. The 2025 exhibition marks its 77th...

Fantastic architecture from older Japanese periods. There is signage outside describing the support beam design inside to hold such a large building. You can see up close some samples of the roof tiles. It's a shame that it is fenced off and you can't get closer. I would have liked to see it up close, or even better...