Overview

Japan's National Treasures are the nation's premier cultural properties. Organised under various official categories, Tokyo's collection of National Treasures features items under the sculptures, buildings, crafts, paintings, archaeology, literature, ancient documents and swords categories. The bulk of Tokyo's collection will be found at the Tokyo National Museum, though it is by no means the only location. Other museums, research centres, temples and shrines also hold items. Here is a simple guide to these National Treasures and where in Tokyo they can be found.

Sculptures

Tokyo currently holds two National Treasure sculptures, one a 7th-century bronze statue held by Jindai-ji Temple in Chofu City and the other by the Okura Musuem of Art of a 12th-century wooden Fugen Bosatsu sculpture riding an elephant while seated on a pedestal.

Buildings

Tokyo's two representatives on the National Treasure buildings listing are at completely opposite ends of the historical and design spectrums. The Jizo Hall of Shofuku-ji Temple in far west Higashimurayama City is a 15th-century Buddhist treasure while the 20th-century Akasaka Palace, one of two State Guest Houses in the country, is a more modern marvel of cultural influence.

Crafts

The vast majority of Tokyo's collection of National Treasure crafts are held by the Tokyo National Museum including an 8th-century bamboo cabinet crafted to hold Buddhist sutra scrolls. Other locations include the Eisei Bunko Museum with its 13th-century love poetry inscribed saddle and the Musashi Mitake Shrine in far west Ome City with its 13th-century red-laced armour.

Paintings

Again, the Tokyo National Museum holds the bulk of the city's National Treasure paintings with the 12th-century The Scroll of Hell particularl fascinating. Other museums include the Idemitsu Museum of Arts with its 9th-century Otemmon Conspiracy scroll painting and Nezu Museum with a 13th-century painting of beautiful Nachi Waterfall.

Archaeology

Tokyo's item on the National Treasure archaeology list are spread over a number of locations. The Tokyo National Museum holds Japan's oldest inscribed sword while other locations like Fusa-ji Temple in Tachikawa features a 14th-century hexagon stone pillar decorated with reliefs of the Four Heavenly Kings and the Gotoh Museum's 6th-century gilt bronze horse ornament.

Literature

The vast array of National Treasure literature in Tokyo is spread across many locations including the Tokyo National Museum with its edition of Manyoshu, Japan's classical poetry anthology, Waseda University's 30-volume Chinese character dictionary from the 8th century and Toyo Bunko, Japan's Asian studies centre, with its 1st-century Records of the Grand Historian.

Ancient Documents

Essentially state documents from antiquity, Tokyo's collection of National Treasure ancient documents rests in places like the Tokyo National Museum which has a 10th-century document with details about a trip to China and the Historiographical Institute of the University of Tokyo whose 15,000 documents relate to the governance of the powerful Shimazu clan of Kyushu.

Swords

Many of Tokyo's popular collections of National Treasure swords are held by the Tokyo National Museum. Its 10th-century Monster Cutter is aptly named while the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords holds numerous blades like a 14th-century sword once owned by Emperor Go-Mizuno.