Shosoin Treasures

Timeline

1. 701–756Heijo-kyo · NaraDuring Emperor Shomu's reign, textiles, glassware, and musical instruments from Tang, Silla, and the Western Regions were imported via embassies to Tang and overland and maritime trade, while lacquerware and gold and silver ware were produced in Japan, forming the core group of imperial items later dedicated to the Shosoin.
2. 756–780Shosoin of Todaiji · NaraEmpress Koken dedicated Emperor Shomu's personal effects to Todaiji; the Shosoin storehouse was completed and a strict sealing system instituted, with imperial items and dedications catalogued by category and stored, forming a systematic treasure collection and preservation tradition.
3. 701–800Shosoin · NaraThe treasure collection presents Tang-style brocade, Persian glass, Silla musical instruments, and Japanese lacquerwork side by side, serving as concentrated material evidence of eighth-century East Asian maritime and overland exchange networks in Japanese material culture.
4. c. 760–800Shosoin · NaraShosoin documents record in detail the names, quantities, and origins of dedicated items, corresponding one-to-one with the objects, providing precious textual and material cross-evidence for the management of court, Buddhist, and trade goods in eighth-century Japan.