List of National Treasures of Japan (writings: others)

File:National Treasures of Japan (writings- others).png

{{Clear}}

The table's columns (except for Remarks and Image) are sortable pressing the arrows symbols. The following gives an overview of what is included in the table and how the sorting works.

• Name: the name as registered in the Database of National Cultural Properties
• Authors: name of the author(s)
• Remarks: information about the type of document and its content
• Date: period and year; The column entries sort by year. If only a period is known, they sort by the start year of that period.
• Format: principal type, technique and dimensions; The column entries sort by the main type: scroll (includes handscrolls and letters), book (includes albums, ordinary bound books and books bound by fukuro-toji) and other (includes hanging scrolls)
• Present location: "temple/museum/shrine-name town-name prefecture-name"; The column entries sort as "prefecture-name town-name".
• Image: picture of the manuscript or of a characteristic document in a group of manuscripts

The concept of writing came to Japan from the Korean kingdom of Baekje in the form of classical Chinese books and sutras, likely written on paper and in the form of manuscript rolls (kansubon).{{Harvnb|Seeley|1991|p=9}}{{Harvnb|Stevens|1981|p=102}}{{Harvnb|Brown|Hall|1993|p=374}} This probably happened at the beginning of the 5th century (around 400), and certainly in conjunction with the introduction of Buddhism in the 6th century.{{Harvnb|Seeley|1991|p=6}}{{cite web

| url = http://www.t-net.ne.jp/~keally/hist.html

| title = Historic Archaeological Periods in Japan

| first = Charles T.

| last = Keally

| date = 2009-06-14

| work = Japanese Archaeology

| publisher = Charles T. Keally

| access-date = 2010-09-09

| archive-date = 2011-05-15

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110515063920/http://www.t-net.ne.jp/~keally/hist.html

| url-status = live

}} The increasing popularity of Buddhism, strongly promoted by Prince Shōtoku (574–622), in the late-6th century and early-7th century was one of the factorsThe other factor was the establishment of a bureaucratic Chinese-style government in Japan around the same time leading to a rise in the importance of writing.{{Harvnb|Seeley|1991|p=40}} Buddhism required the study of sutras in Chinese. To satisfy the growing demand for them, imported Sui and Tang manuscripts were copied, first by Korean and Chinese immigrants, and later in the mid-7th century by Japanese scribes.{{Harvnb|Kornicki1998|p=81}}{{Harvnb|Kornicki1998|p=82}} The Sangyō Gisho ("Annotated Commentaries on the Three Sutras"), traditionally attributed to Prince Shōtoku, is the oldest extant Japanese text of any length.{{Harvnb|Seeley|1991|p=41}} By 673 the entire Buddhist canon had been systematically copied. Not a single sutra survives from before the end of the 6th century.{{Harvnb|Brown|Hall|1993|p=159}} The oldest extant complete sutra copied in Japan dates to 686 and has been designated a National Treasure. During the 7th and 8th centuries, the copying of Buddhist texts, including sutras, dominated writing. Few Chinese secular or local Japanese works (which were rare) were copied. The state founded a Sutra Copying Bureau (shakyōjo) before 727Probably much before this date. with highly specialized calligraphers, proofreaders and metal polishers to satisfy the large demand for Buddhist texts.{{Harvnb|Sansom|1978|p=141}}{{Harvnb|Eubanks|2010|p=189}}

Sutra copying was not only for duplication but also to acquire religious merit;{{Harvnb|Kornicki1998|p=79}} thus nearly all Buddhist texts were hand-copied during the 8th century despite knowledge of printing.

The peak of sutra copying occurred in the Nara period at which time the Great Perfection of Wisdom (Daihannya) sutra and the Lotus Sutra were the sutras most often copied.{{Harvnb|Kornicki1998|p=80}}{{Harvnb|LaMarre|2000|p=81}} Most of the sutras were written in black ink on paper dyed pale yellow.The traditional Chinese way to prevent insect damage.{{Harvnb|Kornicki1998|p=84}} However, some were made with gold or silver ink on indigo, purple or other colored paper—particularly the ones that were produced in 741 when Emperor Shōmu decreed Konkōmyō Saishōō sutras written in gold letters be distributed among provincial temples.{{Harvnb|Brown|Hall|1993|p=43}}{{Harvnb|Brown|Hall|1993|p=255}} Many sutra copies contain a colophon with the name of the sponsor—often somebody from the ruling class—and the reason of copying, usually related to the health or salvation of people or the state.{{Harvnb|Kornicki1998|p=83}}

After the shakyōjo closed at the end of the 8th century, the imperial family and leading aristocrats continued to sponsor sutra copying. Because of an enhanced belief in the powers of the Lotus Sutra, more Heian period copies of this sutra exist than of all other sutras combined. Starting in the early Heian period, styles became flowery and ornate with lavish decorations as sutras were not used only in recitation but for dedication and sacrifice.{{Harvnb|LaMarre|2000|p=77}}{{Harvnb|LaMarre|2000|p=83}} Devotional sutra copying was more often undertaken by the initiator than in the Nara period.{{Harvnb|Kornicki1998|p=87}} New forms of decoration came in fashion by the early-11th century including placing each character in the outline of a stupa, on lotus pedestals or next to depictions of Boddhisattvas.{{Harvnb|Kornicki1998|p=90}} Sutras were increasingly furnished with frontispieces starting in the 11th century.{{Harvnb|Kornicki1998|p=89}} Calligraphy shifted from Chinese to Japanese style.{{Harvnb|Kornicki1998|p=88}} Sutra copying continued into the Kamakura and subsequent periods, but only rarely to comparable artistic effect. With the import of printed Song editions in the Kamakura period, hand-copying of the complete scriptures died out and sutra copying was only practiced for its devotional aspect.{{Harvnb|Stevens|1981|p=106}}{{Harvnb|Kornicki1998|p=91}} Fifty-one sutras or sets of sutras from the 6th century Western Wei to 14th century Nanboku-chō period have been designated National Treasures. Some of the oldest items in this list originated in China.

|0900Heian period, 10th century

| {{sort|scroll|One handscroll, ink on decorated paper, {{convert|29.6|x|528.5|cm|abbr=on}}}}

|Tokyo Tokyo Tokyo National Museum Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Lotus Sutra in minute characters|細字法華経|saiji hokekyō}}{{cite web

| url = http://www.emuseum.jp/cgi/pkihon.cgi?SyoID=3&ID=w098&SubID=s000

| title = 細字法華経

|trans-title=Lotus Sutra in Minute Characters

| work = Emuseum

| publisher = Tokyo National Museum

| access-date = 2009-08-24

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070814081557/http://www.emuseum.jp/cgi/pkihon.cgi?SyoID=3&ID=w098&SubID=s000

| archive-date = 2007-08-14

}}{{cite web

|title = Lotus Sutra in Minute Characters

|work = Emuseum

|publisher = Tokyo National Museum

|access-date = 2011-03-05

|url = http://www.emuseum.jp/detail/100207/001?word=&d_lang=en&s_lang=ja&class=&title=&c_e=®ion=&era=&cptype=&owner=&pos=113&num=7&mode=detail¢ury=

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110722104217/http://www.emuseum.jp/detail/100207/001?word=&d_lang=en&s_lang=ja&class=&title=&c_e=®ion=&era=&cptype=&owner=&pos=113&num=7&mode=detail¢ury=

|archive-date = 2011-07-22

}}

|Li Yuanhuitranscription by {{nihongo|Li Yuanhui|李元恵|rigenkei}}

| 39 pages of 56 ruled lines with 32 characters per line; also known as {{nihongo|Honored Companion Sutra|御同朋経|godōbōkyō}}; handed down at Hōryū-ji

|0694Tang dynasty, 694

| {{sort|scroll|One handscroll, ink on paper; {{convert|25.7|x|2150|cm|abbr=on}}}}

|Tokyo Tokyo Tokyo National Museum Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Commentary on the Vimalakirti Sutra|浄名玄論|jōmyō genron}}{{cite web

| title = Jomyogenron (Jingming xuan lun; Commentary on the Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra)

| work = Emuseum

| publisher = Tokyo National Museum

| access-date = 2010-09-26

| url = http://www.emuseum.jp/detail/101075?x=&y=&s=&d_lang=en&s_lang=ja&word=&class=&title=&c_e=®ion=&era=&cptype=&owner=&pos=57&num=7&mode=detail¢ury=

| archive-date = 2011-07-22

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110722104326/http://www.emuseum.jp/detail/101075?x=&y=&s=&d_lang=en&s_lang=ja&word=&class=&title=&c_e=®ion=&era=&cptype=&owner=&pos=57&num=7&mode=detail¢ury=

| url-status = dead

}}

| unknown

| Oldest extant text using the Japanese dating system; 20 to 40 characters per line; originally in the possession of Tōdai-ji

|0706Asuka period, 706Later additions in the Heian and Kamakura periods to some of the volumes

| {{sort|scroll|Eight handscrolls, ink on paper, height: {{convert|27.8|-|28.0|cm|abbr=on}}, length: {{convert|296.0|-|1092.0|cm|abbr=on}}}}

|Kyoto Kyoto Kyoto National Museum Kyoto National Museum, Kyoto

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Mahāratnakūṭa Sūtra on deep blue paper|紺紙金字大宝積経|konshikinji taihō shakukyō}} vol. 32, {{nihongo|Goryeo Tripiṭaka with gilt letters|高麗国金字大蔵経|kōraikoku kinji daizōkyō}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bunka.go.jp/koho_hodo_oshirase/hodohappyo/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2018/03/09/a1402236_01_1.pdf|script-title=ja:国宝・重要文化財（美術工芸品）の指定について～|language=ja|trans-title=Designation of National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties in the arts and crafts category|author=|date=2018-03-09|publisher=Agency for Cultural Affairs|access-date=2018-03-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310010751/http://www.bunka.go.jp/koho_hodo_oshirase/hodohappyo/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2018/03/09/a1402236_01_1.pdf|archive-date=2018-03-10|url-status=dead}}{{cite web

| title = Daebojagyeong Sutra, Volume 32 in Gold Characters

| work = Emuseum

| publisher = Tokyo National Museum

| access-date = 2018-03-11

| url = http://www.emuseum.jp/detail/101082/001

}}{{cite web|title=Daebojagyeong Sutra, Volume 32 in Gold Characters | publisher=Kyoto National Museum | access-date = 2018-03-11 | url=http://syuweb.kyohaku.go.jp/ibmuseum_public/index.php?app=shiryo&mode=detail&language=en&data_id=3516&list_id=426772}}

| Choi Sung-sak

| Earliest copied sutra of the Goryeo dynasty and only surviving volume of a set of complete Buddhist scriptures, offered by Queen Heonae and Kim Chi-yang. The cover is decorated with a hōsōge flower pattern and the frontispiece with three bodhisattvas scattering flower offerings, both in silver paint.

| {{sort|scroll|One handscroll, gilt letters on deep blue paper, {{convert|29.1|x|881.2|cm|abbr=on}}}}

|1006Goryeo, 1006

|Kyoto Kyoto Kyoto National Museumcustody of Kyoto National Museum, Kyoto, Kyoto; owned by National Institutes for Cultural Heritage

|File:Goryeo Tripiṭaka with gilt letters.jpg

|-

| {{nihongo|Segment of the Sutra of the Incantation of the one thousand armed, one thousand eyed Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva|千手千眼陀羅尼経残巻|senju sengen daranikyō zankan}}{{cite web

| title = Fragmentary Volume of Senju Sengen Daranikyo Sutra (Also Known as Genbogankyo)

| work = Emuseum

| publisher = Tokyo National Museum

| access-date = 2010-09-26

| url = http://www.emuseum.jp/detail/101016?x=&y=&s=&d_lang=en&s_lang=ja&word=&class=2&title=&c_e=®ion=&era=&cptype=&owner=&pos=1&num=2&mode=detail¢ury=

| archive-date = 2011-07-22

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110722104340/http://www.emuseum.jp/detail/101016?x=&y=&s=&d_lang=en&s_lang=ja&word=&class=2&title=&c_e=®ion=&era=&cptype=&owner=&pos=1&num=2&mode=detail¢ury=

| url-status = dead

}}

| {{nihongo|Genbō|玄昉}}

| Only extant portion of one thousand copies of the Senju sengen daranikyō made by Genbō; mentioned in the {{nihongo|Essential Records of Tōdai-ji|東大寺要録|tōdaiji yōroku}}; total of 109 lines; beginning of scroll is lost

|0741Nara period, 741

| {{sort|scroll|One handscroll, ink on paper, {{convert|25.5|x|246.0|cm|abbr=on}}}}

|Kyoto Kyoto Kyoto National Museum Kyoto National Museum, Kyoto

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Golden Light of the Most Victorious Kings Sutra|紫紙金字金光明最勝王経|shishikinji konkōmyō saishōōkyō}}{{cite web

| title = 紫紙金字金光明最勝王経

| publisher = Nara National Museum

| access-date = 2009-08-24

| url = http://www.narahaku.go.jp/collection/759-10.html

| archive-date = 2011-07-19

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110719233433/http://www.narahaku.go.jp/collection/759-10.html

| url-status = live

}}{{cite web

| title = Golden Light of the Most Victorious Kings Sutra

| work = Emuseum

| publisher = Tokyo National Museum

| access-date = 2010-09-26

| url = http://www.emuseum.jp/detail/100246?x=&y=&s=&d_lang=en&s_lang=ja&word=%E7%B4%AB%E7%B4%99%E9%87%91%E5%AD%97%E9%87%91%E5%85%89%E6%98%8E%E6%9C%80%E5%8B%9D%E7%8E%8B%E7%B5%8C&class=&title=&c_e=®ion=&era=&cptype=&owner=&pos=1&num=1&mode=simple¢ury=

| archive-date = 2011-07-22

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110722104357/http://www.emuseum.jp/detail/100246?x=&y=&s=&d_lang=en&s_lang=ja&word=%E7%B4%AB%E7%B4%99%E9%87%91%E5%AD%97%E9%87%91%E5%85%89%E6%98%8E%E6%9C%80%E5%8B%9D%E7%8E%8B%E7%B5%8C&class=&title=&c_e=®ion=&era=&cptype=&owner=&pos=1&num=1&mode=simple¢ury=

| url-status = dead

}}

| unknown (Sutra Copying Bureau)

| One of the sutras enshrined in the state-sponsored "Temples for the Protection of the State by the Golden Light (of the) Four Heavenly Kings"; said to have been enshrined in Bingo Province

|0741Nara period, 8th century, Tenpyō era after 741

| {{sort|scroll|Ten handscrolls, gilt letters on violet paper, {{convert|26.4|x|841.1|cm|abbr=on}} (vol. 1)}}

|Nara Nara Nara National Museum Nara National Museum, Nara, Nara

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Dhāraṇī of the Adamantine Place|金剛場陀羅尼経|Kongō Jōdaranikyō}}

|Horintranscription by the priest Hōrin

| Oldest hand-copied sutra in Japan

|0686Asuka period, 686

| {{sort|scroll|One handscroll, ink on paper}}

|Tokyo Tokyo Agency for Cultural AffairsAgency for Cultural Affairs, Tokyo

| File:Kongo-badarani 1.jpg File:Kongo-badarani 2.jpg

|-

| {{nihongo|Sutra on deep blue paper from the Kinpusen sutra mound|金峯山経塚出土紺紙金字経|kinpusen kyōzuka konshikinji kyō}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bunka.go.jp/koho_hodo_oshirase/hodohappyo/pdf/94018601_01.pdf|script-title=ja:国宝・重要文化財（美術工芸品）の指定について～|language=ja|trans-title=Designation of National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties in the arts and crafts category|author=|date=2024-03-15|publisher=Agency for Cultural Affairs|access-date=2024-03-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316032419/https://www.bunka.go.jp/koho_hodo_oshirase/hodohappyo/pdf/94018601_01.pdf|archive-date=2024-03-16|url-status=live}}

| Fujiwara no Michinaga, Fujiwara no Moromichi

| 79 papers

|1000Heian period, 10th—11th century

| One handscroll,

|Nara Yoshino KinpusenjiKinpusen-ji, Yoshino, Nara

| {{center|—}}

|-

| {{nihongo|Sutra on deep blue paper from the Kinpusen sutra mound|金峯山経塚出土紺紙金字経|kinpusen kyōzuka konshikinji kyō}}

| Fujiwara no Michinaga, Fujiwara no Moromichi

| 200 papers

|1000Heian period, 10th—11th century

| One handscroll,

|Nara Yoshino KinpusenjiKinpusen-ji, Yoshino, Nara

| {{center|—}}

|-

| {{nihongo|Konkōmyō Saishōō Sutra with gilt letters|紫紙金字金光明最勝王経|shishikinji konkōmyō saishōōkyō}}

| unknown (Sutra Copying Bureau)

| One of the sutras enshrined in the state-sponsored "Temples for the Protection of the State by the Golden Light (of the) Four Heavenly Kings" founded by Emperor Shōmu

|0710Nara period, 8th century

| {{sort|scroll|Ten handscrolls}}

|Wakayama Koya ReihokanReihōkan (owned by {{nihongo|Ryūkō-in|龍光院}}), Kōya, Wakayama

| {{center|—}}

|-

| {{nihongo|Mahavairocana Sutra|大毘盧遮那成仏神変加持経|Daibirushana jōbutsu jinpen kajikyō}}

| unknown

| {{center|—}}

|0794Heian period

| {{sort|scroll|Seven handscrolls, width: {{convert|27.6|cm|abbr=on}}, length: {{convert|56.0|-|1386.1|cm|abbr=on}}}}

|Nara Nara Saidaiji Saidai-ji, Nara, Nara

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra|大般若経|Daihannya-kyō}} or {{nihongo|Yakushi-ji Sutra|薬師寺経|Yakushiji-kyō}}{{cite web

|title = 大般若経

|trans-title=Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra

|publisher = Fujita Art Museum

|access-date = 2009-08-24

|url = http://www.city.okayama.jp/museum/fujita/32daihannya.html

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090915221500/http://www.city.okayama.jp/museum/fujita/32daihannya.html

|archive-date = 2009-09-15

}}

| various (ten-odd people)

| Formerly in the possession of Yakushi-ji

|0710Nara period, 8th century

| {{sort|scroll|387 handscrolls, ink on paper, height: {{convert|27.3|cm|abbr=on}}}}

|Osaka Osaka Fujita Art MuseumFujita Art Museum, Osaka

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra|大般若経|Daihannya-kyō}}

| unknown

| Made on request of Prince Nagaya praying for the deceased Emperor Mommu

|0712Nara period, 712

| {{sort|book|27 bound books}}

|Shiga Koka Jomyoji{{nihongo|Jōmyō-ji|常明寺|}}, Kōka, Shiga

| {{center|—}}

|-

| {{nihongo|Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra|大般若経|Daihannya-kyō}}

| unknown

| Made on request of Prince Nagaya praying for the deceased Emperor Mommu; oldest extant manuscript of the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra

|0712Nara period, 712

| {{sort|book|142 bound books}}

|Shiga Koka Taiheiji{{nihongo|Taihei-ji|太平寺|}}, Kōka, Shiga

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Konkōmyō Saishōō Sutra|金光明最勝王経|Konkōmyō Saishōōkyō}}

| unknown

| {{center|—}}

|0762Nara period, 762

| {{sort|scroll|Ten handscrolls, {{convert|32.4|x|803.0|cm|abbr=on}}}}

|Nara Nara Saidaiji Saidai-ji, Nara, Nara

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo||根本百一羯磨|Konpon hyakuichi konma}} vol. 6{{cite web

| title = 根本百一羯磨

| trans-title = Konponhyakuichikonma

| publisher = Nezu Art Museum

| access-date = 2010-09-26

| url = http://www.nezu-muse.or.jp/jp/collection/detail.php?id=00173

| archive-date = 2011-07-22

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110722121819/http://www.nezu-muse.or.jp/jp/collection/detail.php?id=00173

| url-status = live

}}

| unknown

| Transcription of a Chinese translation from 703, 12–13 characters per line

|0710Nara period, 8th century

| {{sort|scroll|One handscroll, ink on paper, {{convert|27.4|x|1164.9|cm|abbr=on}}}}

|Tokyo Tokyo Nezu Art Museum Nezu Art Museum, Tokyo

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Sutra of the Wise and Foolish|賢愚経|kengukyō}} vol. 15

| unknown

| 467 lines

|0710Nara period, 8th century

| {{sort|scroll|One handscroll, ink on paper}}

|Nara Nara Todaiji Tōdai-ji, Nara, Nara

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Lotus Sutra in large characters|大字法華経|daiji hokekyō}}

| unknown

| Volume three missing

|0710Nara period, 8th century

| {{sort|scroll|Seven handscrolls, ink on paper}}

|Wakayama Koya ReihokanReihōkan (owned by {{nihongo|Ryūkō-in|龍光院}}), Kōya, Wakayama

| {{center|—}}

|-

| {{nihongo|Fukū Kenjaku Shinpen Shingon Sutra|不空羂索神変真言経|fukū kenjaku shinpen shingonkyō}}

| unknown

| {{center|—}}

|0710Nara period, 8th century

| {{sort|scroll|18 handscrolls}}

|Wakayama Koya ReihokanReihōkan (owned by {{nihongo|Sanbō-in|三宝院}}), Kōya, Wakayama

| {{center|—}}

|-

| {{nihongo|Buddhist Monastic Traditions of Southern Asia|南海寄帰内法伝|nankai kiki naihōden}} vols. 1,2

| unknown

| Oldest extant manuscript of this work; handed down in Ishiyama-dera

|0710Nara period, 8th century

| {{sort|scroll|One handscroll, ink on paper, vol. 1: {{convert|26.5|x|885|cm|abbr=on}}, vol. 2: {{convert|26.5|x|1010|cm|abbr=on}}}}

| Nara Tenri Tenri University Librarycustody of {{nihongo|Tenri University Library|天理大学附属天理図書館|Tenri daigaku fuzoku Tenri toshokan}} (owned by Tenri University), Tenri, Nara

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Lotus Sutra on deep blue paper|紺紙金字法華経|konshikinji hokekyō}} and {{nihongo|Samantabhadra Contemplation Sutra on deep blue paper|紺紙金字観普賢経|konshikinji kanfugenkyō}}{{cite web

|title = 紺紙金字法華経, 紺紙金字観普賢経

|trans-title=Lotus Sutra on deep blue paper, Samantabhadra Contemplation Sutra on deep blue paper

|publisher = Hiroshima Prefecture

|access-date = 2010-09-27

|url = http://www.pref.hiroshima.lg.jp/kyouiku/hotline/bunkazai/data/101050010.html

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110719230149/http://www.pref.hiroshima.lg.jp/kyouiku/hotline/bunkazai/data/101050010.html

|archive-date = 2011-07-19

}}

| Taira no Kiyomori and his younger brother Yorimori

| First couple of lines of each scroll transcribed by Taira no Kiyomori, following lines by Yorimori; therefore also called {{nihongo||両筆経||lit. Sutra written together}}

|1170Heian period, 1170–1172

| {{sort|scroll|Seven handscrolls (Lotus Sutra) and one handscroll (Samantabhadra Contemplation Sutra), gilt letters on deep blue paper}}

|Hiroshima Hatsukaichi Itsukushima Shrine Itsukushima Shrine, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Instruction manual of the Nirvana Sutra|大般涅槃経集解|Daihatsu nehankyō shūge}}{{cite web

|title = 徳川家の聖地

|trans-title=Sacred place of the Tokugawa family

|publisher = Rinnō-ji

|access-date = 2010-09-27

|url = http://www.rinnoji.or.jp/keidai/homotu/past/tokugawa-nikko/tokugawa-nikko.html

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101220151754/http://www.rinnoji.or.jp/keidai/homotu/past/tokugawa-nikko/tokugawa-nikko.html

|archive-date = 2010-12-20

}}

| unknown

| Scrolls 11 to 69 of a 71 scroll manuscript; formerly in the possession of Tenkai, handed down in Rinnō-ji

|0710Nara period (43 scrolls) and Heian period (16 scrolls)

| {{sort|scroll|59 handscrolls, ink on paper}}

|Tochigi Nikko Rinnoji Rinnō-ji, Nikkō, Tochigi

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Instruction manual of the Nirvana Sutra|大般涅槃経集解|Daihatsu nehankyō shūge}}

| unknown

| Centered around a 54 scroll sutra edition from the Tang period to which 17 scrolls were added during the Kamakura – Edo period

|0710Nara period – Edo period

| {{sort|scroll|71 handscrolls, ink on paper}}

| Hyogo Kobe Hakutsuru Fine Art MuseumHakutsuru Fine Art Museum, Kobe, Hyōgo

| {{center|—}}

|-

| {{nihongo|Complete Buddhist scriptures in gold and silver letters|金銀字一切経|kinginji issaikyō}} or {{nihongo|Chūson-ji Sutras|中尊寺経|Chūson-ji kyō}}{{cite web

| title = 高野山霊宝館【収蔵品紹介：書跡】

| trans-title = Koyasan Reihokan (Introduction to collected items: writings)

| publisher = Kongōbu-ji

| access-date = 2010-09-27

| url = http://www.reihokan.or.jp/syuzohin/syoseki.html

| archive-date = 2011-07-19

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110719232909/http://www.reihokan.or.jp/syuzohin/syoseki.html

| url-status = live

}}

| unknown

|Large-scale collection of sutras, Buddhist regulations and sutra explanations initiated by Fujiwara no Kiyohira; dedicated to Chūson-ji and later presented to Kongōbu-ji by Toyotomi Hidetsugu; decorated with various pictures in gold and silver paint; a set of 15 similar scrolls that were part of the same collection remained at Chūson-ji and are a National Treasure

|1117-02Heian period, February 1117 – March 1126

| {{sort|scroll|4,296 handscrolls, gold and silver letters on indigo blue paper}}

|Wakayama Koya ReihokanReihōkan (owned by Kongōbu-ji), Kōya, Wakayama

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Complete Buddhist scriptures on deep blue paper with gilt letters|紺紙金字一切経|konshikonji issaikyō}} or {{nihongo|Chūson-ji Sutras|中尊寺経|Chūson-ji kyō}}{{cite web

| title = 文化財の紹介 中尊寺

| trans-title = Introduction to cultural properties, Chūson-ji

| publisher = Chūson-ji

| access-date = 2010-09-27

| url = http://www.chusonji.or.jp/guide/culturalassets/index.html

| archive-date = 2010-06-05

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100605012213/http://www.chusonji.or.jp/guide/culturalassets/index.html

| url-status = live

}}

| unknown

| Large-scale collection of sutras, Buddhist regulations and sutra explanations initiated by Fujiwara no Kiyohira; dedicated to Chūson-ji; each scroll's end page is decorated with a drawing in gold paint; 15 scrolls with alternating gold and silver letters are part of a set of up to 5,300 scrolls most of which are now in the possession of Kongōbu-ji and a National Treasure

|1117-02Heian period, February 1117 – March 1126

| {{sort|scroll|2,739 handscrolls, of which 15 are with gold and silver letters and 2,724 in gilt letters on indigo blue paper}}

|Iwate Hiraizumi Chusonji {{nihongo|Daichōju-in|大長寿院|}} (Chūson-ji), Hiraizumi, Iwate

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Preface to the Lotus Sutra decorated with Buddhas|一字一仏法華経序品|ichiji ichibutsu hokekyō johon}}{{cite web

|title = 一字一仏法華経序品

|trans-title=Preface to the Lotus Sutra decorated with Buddhas

|publisher = Zentsūji

|access-date = 2009-08-24

|url = http://www.city.zentsuji.kagawa.jp/digi-m/culture/detail/066/index.html

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110613025324/http://www.city.zentsuji.kagawa.jp/digi-m/culture/detail/066/index.html

|archive-date = 2011-06-13

}}

| Kūkai

| Next to each character there is an image of a Bodhisattva in-between the lines said to be drawn by Kūkai's mother, {{nihongo|Tamayori Gozen|玉依御前}}

|0794Heian period

| {{sort|scroll|One handscroll, length: {{convert|21.2|m|abbr=on}}}}

|Kagawa Zentsuji Zentsuji Zentsū-ji, Zentsūji, Kagawa

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Lotus pedestal character Lotus Sutra|一字蓮台法華経|ichijirendai hokekyō}}　or {{nihongo|The Encouragements of Bodhisattva Fugen|普賢勧発品|Fugen kanbotsubon}}

| unknown

| Below each character a lotus flower is drawn thereby equating each character with the Bodhisattva; endpapers decorated with an inside scene of a Buddhist memorial service in {{nihongo|blown away roof technique|吹抜屋台|fukinuki yatai}}

|1100late Heian period

| {{sort|scroll|One handscroll, ink on paper decorated with gold and silver dust and foil}}

|Nara Nara Yamato Bunkakancustody of Yamato Bunkakan, Nara, Nara; owned by Kintetsu Corporation

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Lotus pedestal character Lotus Sutra|一字蓮台法華経|ichijirendai hokekyō}}{{cite web

|script-title = ja:県道赤留塔寺線沿線の魅力

|trans-title=Attractions along the Prefectural Akarutōji Road

|publisher = Fukushima Prefecture

|access-date = 2009-08-24

|language=ja

|url = http://www.pref.fukushima.jp/aizu/kensetsu/tiiki-fureai/genki/akarutouderasennwoiku/2_1_1.htm

|archive-url = https://archive.today/20130218160103/http://www.pref.fukushima.jp/aizu/kensetsu/tiiki-fureai/genki/akarutouderasennwoiku/2_1_1.htm

|url-status = dead

|archive-date = 2013-02-18

}}

| unknown

| Below each character a lotus flower is drawn just like Bodhisattvas are often depicted on a lotus pedestal; volume 6 missing

|0794Heian period

| {{sort|scroll|Nine handscrolls, ink on paper}}

|Fukushima Aizumisato Ryukoji {{nihongo|Ryūkō-ji|龍興寺|}}, Aizumisato, Fukushima

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Lotus Sutra|法華経|hokekyō}} ({{nihongo|prefatory sutra|開結共|kaiketsutomo}})

| unknown

| {{center|—}}

|1000Heian period, 11th century

| {{sort|scroll|Ten handscrolls, ink on decorative paper with five-colored design}}

|Tokyo Tokyo Sensoji Sensō-ji, Tokyo

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Lotus Sutra|法華経|hokekyō}} or {{nihongo|Kunōji Sutra|久能寺経|Kunōjikyō|}}{{cite web

| script-title = ja:『法華経（久能寺経）』の国宝指定について

| trans-title = Designation of the Lotus Sutra (Kunōji Sutra) as National Treasure

| publisher = Kobe

| access-date = 2017-11-15

| language = ja

| url = http://www.city.kobe.lg.jp/information/press/2017/03/20170310841002.html

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171127070725/http://www.city.kobe.lg.jp/information/press/2017/03/20170310841002.html

| archive-date = 2017-11-27

| url-status = dead

}}

| Emperor Toba and others

| Part of 30 scrolls (28 chapters of the Lotus Sutra plus introduction and postscript).

|1100Heian period, 12th century

| {{sort|scroll|4 handscrolls, ink on decorated paper, {{convert|26.7|x|196.4|cm|abbr=on}}}}

|Tokyo Tokyo Private private, Tokyo

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Lotus Sutra|法華経|hokekyō}} or {{nihongo|Kunōji Sutra|久能寺経|Kunōjikyō|}}

| Fujiwara clan

| Originally offered to Anrakuji-in on occasion of Emperor Toba entering priesthood, later transferred to Kunōji. Part of 30 scrolls (28 chapters of the Lotus Sutra plus introduction and postscript).

|1100Heian period, 12th century

| {{sort|scroll|19 handscrolls, ink on decorated paper}}

|Shizuoka Shizuoka Tesshuji {{nihongo|Tesshū-ji|鉄舟寺}}, Shizuoka, Shizuoka

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Lotus Sutra|法華経|hokekyō}} vol. 6

| unknown

| {{center|—}}

|0794Heian period

| {{sort|scroll|One handscroll, ink on colored paper}}

|Wakayama Koya ReihokanReihōkan (owned by Kongōbu-ji), Kōya, Wakayama

| {{center|—}}

|-

| {{nihongo|Lotus Sutra|法華経|hokekyō}}

| Unkei

| Part of an eight scroll set, scroll 1 has been lost and scroll 8 is in private hand and a National Treasure; Unkei was supported by a female sponsor named {{nihongo|Akomaro|阿古丸}}

|1183Heian period, 1183

| {{sort|scroll|Six handscrolls, ink on paper}}

|Kyoto Kyoto Shinshogokurakuji Shinshōgokuraku-ji, Kyoto

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Complete Buddhist scriptures, Song edition|宋版一切経|sōhan issaikyō}}{{Cite web

|script-title = ja:文化審議会答申 国宝・重要文化財（美術工芸品）の指定について一切経

|trans-title = Council of Cultural Affairs: Designation of National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties in the Arts and Crafts category

|publisher = Agency for Cultural Affairs

|date = 2017-03-10

|access-date = 2017-11-13

|url = http://www.bunka.go.jp/koho_hodo_oshirase/hodohappyo/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2017/08/18/2017031002.pdf

|language = ja

|archive-date = 2017-11-14

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171114093339/http://www.bunka.go.jp/koho_hodo_oshirase/hodohappyo/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2017/08/18/2017031002.pdf

|url-status = dead

}}{{cite web

| script-title = ja:宋版一切経

| trans-title = Complete Buddhist scriptures, Song edition

| publisher = Daigo-ji

| access-date = 2017-11-14

| language = ja

| url = http://www.daigoji.or.jp/archives/cultural_assets/NB028/NB028.html

| archive-date = 2015-05-05

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150505021220/http://daigoji.or.jp/archives/cultural_assets/NB028/NB028.html

| url-status = live

}}

| unknown

| Contains an inscription dated 1198.

|1127Southern Song

| {{sort|book|6102 bound books, woodblock prints, {{convert|29.6|x|11.7|cm|abbr=on}}}}

| Kyoto Kyoto Daigoji Daigo-ji, Kyoto

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Lotus Sutra|法華経|hokekyō}} vol. 8

| Unkei

| Part of an eight scroll set, scroll 1 has been lost and scrolls 2 to 7 are located at Shinshōgokuraku-ji and a National Treasure; includes a postscript explaining the circumstances of the sutra transcription; Unkei was supported by a female sponsor named {{nihongo|Akomaro|阿古丸}}

|1183Heian period, 1183

| {{sort|scroll|One handscroll, ink on paper}}

|Tokyo Tokyo Private private, Tokyo

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Lotus Sutra|法華経一品経|hokekyō ipponkyō}}, {{nihongo|Amitabha Sutra|阿弥陀経|amidakyō}} and {{nihongo|Heart Sutra|般若心経|hannyashinkyō}}{{cite web

| title = - 埼玉県ときがわ町 - 国指定文化財

| trans-title = Saitama Prefecture, Tokigawa - National Cultural Properties

| publisher = Tokigawa

| access-date = 2010-09-29

| language = ja

| url = http://www.town.tokigawa.lg.jp/forms/info/info.aspx?info_id=11961

| archive-date = 2011-07-22

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110722112353/http://www.town.tokigawa.lg.jp/forms/info/info.aspx?info_id=11961

| url-status = live

}}

| unknown

| Also called {{nihongo|Jikō-ji Sutras|慈光寺経|Jikō-ji kyō}}

|1185Kamakura period

| {{sort|scroll|33 handscrolls, ink on paper decorated with gold and silver dust and foil}}

|Saitama Tokigawa Jikoji {{nihongo|Jikō-ji|慈光寺}}, Tokigawa, Saitama

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Lotus Sutra|法華経|hokekyō}}, {{nihongo|Samantabhadra Contemplation Sutra|観普賢経|kanfugenkyō}}, {{nihongo|Sutra of Immeasurable Meanings|無量義経|muryōgikyō}}, {{nihongo|Amitabha Sutra|阿弥陀経|amidakyō}} and {{nihongo|Heart Sutra|般若心経|hannyashinkyō}}

| unknown

| Also called {{nihongo|Hase-dera Sutras|長谷寺経|Hase-dera kyō}}; endpapers decorated with richly colored paintings on gold ground using ultramarine, verdigris, gold and silver paint and scarlet red

|1185early Kamakura period

| {{sort|scroll|34 handscrolls: 28 Lotus Sutra, 1 Samantabhadra Contemplation Sutra, 3 Sutra of Immeasurable Meanings, 1 Amitabha Sutra, 1 Heart Sutra, ink on paper decorated with mist and clouds in gold and silver foil, width: {{convert|28.5|cm|abbr=on}}}}

|Nara Sakurai Hasedera Hase-dera, Sakurai, Nara

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Maharatnakuta Sutra|宝積経要品|hōshakukyō yōhon}}

| Musō Soseki

| {{center|—}}

|1336Nanboku-chō period

| {{sort|book|One bound book, ink on paper, {{convert|31.5|x|10.5|cm|abbr=on}}}}

| Tokyo Tokyo Maeda IkutokukaiMaeda Ikutokukai, Tokyo

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Kegon Sutra, Kanji meaning and reading|花厳経音義|kegonkyō ongi}}

| unknown

| Collection of difficult to interpret Chinese words showing their Japanese pronunciation and meaning in Man'yōgana; only extant manuscript

|0794Heian period, 794

| {{sort|scroll|Two handscrolls, ink on paper}}

|Tokyo Tokyo Agency for Cultural AffairsAgency for Cultural Affairs, Tokyo

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Sutra of the Bodhisattva's Dwelling in the Womb|菩薩処胎経|bosatsu shotaikyō}}{{cite web

|title = 菩薩処胎経

|trans-title = Sutra of the Bodhisattva's Dwelling in the Womb

|publisher = Chion-in

|access-date = 2011-01-31

|url = http://www.chion-in.or.jp/chion-in/04_meiho/hob/bos.html

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110722120719/http://www.chion-in.or.jp/chion-in/04_meiho/hob/bos.html

|archive-date = 2011-07-22

|url-status = dead

}}

| unknown

| Sutra on Buddha entering nirvana; first scroll is a transcription from the late Heian period, fifth scroll a transcription from the Nara period; remaining three scrolls contain a postscriptum from 550

|0550Western Wei, 550

| {{sort|scroll|Five handscrolls, ink on paper}}

|Kyoto Kyoto Kyoto Chionin Chion-in, Kyoto

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo||大楼炭経|Dairōtankyō}} vol. 3

| unknown

| Sutra on the occurrence of heaven on earth

|0673Tang dynasty, 673

| {{sort|book|One book bound by fukuro-toji(袋とじ) binding folded uncut pages in a book, so that there are two blank pages between two pages outside}}

|Kyoto Kyoto Kyoto Chionin Chion-in, Kyoto

| {{center|—}}

|-

| {{nihongo|Konkōmyō Saishōō Sutra in minute characters|細字金光明最勝王経|saiji konkōmyō saishōōkyō}}

| unknown

| 34 characters per line instead of the usual 17

|0710Nara period, 710

| {{sort|scroll|Two handscrolls, ink on paper}}

|Wakayama Koya ReihokanReihōkan (owned by {{nihongo|Ryūkō-in|龍光院}}), Kōya, Wakayama

| {{center|—}}

|-

| {{nihongo||釈摩訶衍論|Shaku makaenron}}{{cite web

|title = 釈摩訶衍論

|trans-title=Shaku makaenron

|publisher = Ōtsu City Museum of History

|access-date = 2010-09-28

|url = http://www.rekihaku.otsu.shiga.jp/bunka/data/bz_366.html

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110722124223/http://www.rekihaku.otsu.shiga.jp/bunka/data/bz_366.html

|archive-date = 2011-07-22

}}

| unknown

| Commentary on the {{nihongo|Awakening of Faith|大乗起信論|daijō kishinron}}; one of the principal books of Shingon Buddhism; lower part of opening phrase of volume one features Chinese characters of Empress Wu

|0618Tang dynasty, 618

| {{sort|book|Five bound books, ink on paper}}

|Shiga Otsu IshiyamaderaIshiyama-dera, Ōtsu, Shiga

| {{center|—}}

|-

| {{nihongo|Vajrasekhara Sutra|金剛経|kongōkyō}}

| {{nihongo|Zhang Jizhi|張即之|}}

| {{center|—}}

|1253Southern Song, 1253

| {{sort|book|One bound book, ink on paper, {{convert|32.2|x|1781.0|cm|abbr=on}}}}

|Kyoto Kyoto Chishakuin Chishaku-in, Kyoto

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Biography of the Sixth Patriarch|六祖恵能伝|rokusoenōden}}

| unknown

| Brought back from China by Saichō

|0803Tang dynasty, 803

| {{sort|scroll|One handscroll, ink on paper, {{convert|26.1|x|38.1|cm|abbr=on}}}}

|Shiga Otsu EnryakujiEnryaku-ji, Ōtsu, Shiga

| {{center|—}}

|-

| {{nihongo|Vajrasekhara Sutra written by Daikaku Zenshi|大覚禅師筆金剛経|Daikaku Zenshi-hitsu kongōkyō}}

| Lanxi Daolong

| {{center|—}}

|1213Southern Song, 13th century

| {{sort|book|One bound book}}

|Kyoto Kyoto Ryukoin {{nihongo|Ryūkō-in|龍光院}}, Kyoto

| {{center|—}}

|-

| {{nihongo|Preface to the Lotus Sutra|法華経序品|hokekyō johon}} or {{nihongo|Chikubushima Sutra|竹生島経|Chikubushimakyō}}{{cite web

|script-title = ja:法華経序品

|trans-title=Lotus Sutra, Introduction

|publisher = Nara National Museum

|access-date = 2010-09-26

|url = http://sips03.narahaku.go.jp/exhib/2008toku/saigoku/saigoku-08.htm

|language=ja

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110719233149/http://sips03.narahaku.go.jp/exhib/2008toku/saigoku/saigoku-08.htm

|archive-date = 2011-07-19

}}

|Minamoto Toshifusaattributed to {{nihongo|Minamoto Toshifusa|源俊房}} by Shōkadō Shōjō in a postscript from 1625

| 28 lines per page; paper decorated with gold and silver underdrawings of butterflies, birds, flowering plants, imaginary Buddhist flowers, and clouds; the Expedient Means chapter of the same work, located at the Tokyo National Museum, has been designated as National Treasure

|1000Heian period, 11th century

| {{sort|book|One bound accordion book, ink on decorated paper, {{convert|26.3|x|481.5|cm|abbr=on}}}}

|Shiga Nagahama HogonjiHōgon-ji, Nagahama, Shiga

| 150px

|-

| {{nihongo|Sutra of Immeasurable Meanings|無量義経|muryōgikyō}} and {{nihongo|Samantabhadra Contemplation Sutra|観普賢経|kanfugenkyō}} or {{nihongo|Ornamental sutra|裝飾経|}}{{cite web

| title = 無量義経, 観普賢経

| trans-title = Sutra of Immeasurable Meanings, Samantabhadra Contemplation Sutra

| publisher = Nezu Art Museum

| access-date = 2010-09-26

| url = http://www.nezu-muse.or.jp/jp/collection/detail.php?id=00284

| archive-date = 2010-10-10

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101010115408/http://nezu-muse.or.jp/jp/collection/detail.php?id=00284

| url-status = live

}}

| unknown

| Thought to have formed a set together with the Lotus sutra

|1000Heian period, 11th century

| {{sort|scroll|Two handscrolls, one each, ink on paper dyed in different shades of brown, muryōgikyō: {{convert|25.2|x|927.9|cm|abbr=on}}, kanfugenkyō: {{convert|25.4|x|845.8|cm|abbr=on}}}}

|Tokyo Tokyo Nezu Art Museum Nezu Art Museum, Tokyo

| 150px

150px

|}

Nara period Buddhism was dominated by six state-controlled sects. They were introduced from the mainland and centred around the ancient capitals in Asuka and Nara. These schools were generally academic in nature, closely connected with the court and represented a doctrine that was far removed from the daily life of the people.{{Harvnb|Eliot|1935|pp=218–232}}{{Harvnb|Sansom|1958|p=117}} In 804, two Japanese monks Kūkai and Saichō travelled to China; on their return they established Tendai and Shingon Buddhism respectively. Unlike their predecessors both esoteric schools took into account the needs of the common people. Though their origins lay in China, with time they acquired local Japanese traits.{{Harvnb|Eliot|1935|pp=233–253}} Generally the 9th century was a time when Chinese learning thrived in Japan. Authors produced a wide variety of works in Chinese language, including commentaries and treatises on a variety of subjects.{{Harvnb|Shively|McCullough|1999|p=343}}

A number of new sects appeared in Japan in the 12th and 13th centuries as a natural reaction to the difficult teachings of older schools and partially motivated by the notion of mappō.For this reason these new schools have been termed "evangelist" by Sir George Bailey Sansom.{{Harvnb|Sansom|1958|p=426}} Growing out of an Amida cult, the Jōdo Shinshū Pure Land school was founded in 1224 by Shinran, and attracted a following from all classes and occupations.{{Harvnb|Sansom|1958|p=424}}{{Harvnb|Eliot|1935|pp=254–274}} Three years later, Dōgen introduced the Sōtō school of Zen Buddhism emphasizing meditation and dharma practice.{{Harvnb|Eliot|1935|pp=275–288}} The first truly Japanese school of Buddhism goes back to Nichiren's proclamation of his teachings in 1253. Nichiren Buddhism was exceptional for being militant and intolerant. The central focus of Nichiren's teaching was the veneration of the Lotus Sutra.{{Harvnb|Sansom|1958|p=427}}

Fourteen treatises and commentaries of famous Japanese monks dating from the early Heian to the Kamakura period have been designated as National Treasures. These include three commentaries by Kūkai on two of the main mantras (Dainichikyō and Kongōhannyakyō) of Shingon Buddhism, works by Shinran discussing Pure Land Buddhism, mappō and Amida, a manual on zazen "seated meditation" by Dōgen and two works by Nichiren related to his teachings. In addition two large scale collection of documents from the Nara to the Meiji period are listed here as National Treasures.

Bokuseki is a type of Japanese calligraphy practiced by Zen monks or lay practitioners of Zen meditation.{{cite web

| url = http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/b/bokuseki.htm

| title = bokuseki

| publisher = JAANUS – Japanese Architecture and Art Net User System

| access-date = 2011-01-21

| archive-date = 2011-03-16

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110316003230/http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/b/bokuseki.htm

| url-status = live

}} Characterised by freely written bold characters, the style often ignores criteria and classical standards for calligraphy.{{Harvnb|Noma|2003|p=252}} The brush is moved continuously across the paper creating richly variated lines. Unlike other calligraphy, bokuseki is considered "religious art"—a manifestation of the artist's understanding of the Dharma.{{Harvnb|Baroni|2002|p=32}} In this sense, the literal meaning of the word "bokuseki", translated as "ink trace", indicates the piece is considered to be a trace of the enlightened mind.{{Harvnb|Earnshaw|1989|p=98}}{{Harvnb|Dumoulin|Heisig|Knitter|2005|p=233}}

The bokuseki style developed from Song dynasty calligraphy. It was brought from China to Japan, together with Zen Buddhism, starting with Eisai in 1191.{{Harvnb|Lewin|1994|p=398}} Late-12th century works imported from China were highly regarded in Japan; subsequently Japanese priests began producing their own bokuseki in the 13th and 14th centuries. Later bokuseki became part of the zen practice and served as meditation help.{{Harvnb|Lewin|1994|p=396}} They were often mounted on hanging scrolls, and displayed in temples and tea rooms. The master of the Japanese tea ceremony Sen no Rikyū considered them crucial to the tea ceremony in the sense that they put the participants in the right frame-of-mind. Bokuseki gained in importance through the chanoyu in the Muromachi and Momoyama periods. Daitō Kokushi and Musō Soseki, both from the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism, were the most famous bokuseki masters of the time.

The bokuseki style is present in a variety of Zen genres such as Buddhist sermons or Dharma talks (hōgo), certificates of enlightenment (inkajō), death verses (yuige), gatha verses (geju), poetryOne's own poetry or that of a poet or master. (shi), letters, names and titles given to a monk by his master (jigo), exhortory sermons (shidōgo), gakuji,Two or three large characters written horizontally for display over a doorway or on a wall. inscriptions on Zen paintings (san) and Zen circles.{{Harvnb|Stevens|1981|p=143}} There are 23 bokuseki National Treasures of various types including inkajō, hōgo, letters and yuige. They date from the 12th to 14th centuries and have been mounted on hanging scrolls.

Kaishi, or futokorogami, were sheets of paper carried by high-ranking people folded in their kimonos at the breast.{{Harvnb|Frédéric|2005|p=452}}{{Harvnb|Buck-Albulet|Motoori|2005|p=228}} They were used for writing letters, or waka; similar sheets were employed during the tea ceremony. Papers came in a variety of sizes and colours, depending on the rank and sex of those using them. At court men wrote on white paper, while women wrote only on red kaishi paper. Eventually the paper format was standardized with sizes ranging from about {{convert|28|x|36|cm|abbr=on}} to {{convert|36|x|56|cm|abbr=on}}. The folding style, labelling, and other stylistic features, differed from school to school. Four items from the Heian and Kamakura periods have been designated as National Treasures in the kaishi category. They are single sheets or sets of sheets mounted on hanging scrolls or bound in an album and contain poetry by Japanese rulers and famous poets.

Collections of exemplary calligraphy, or tekagami (lit. "mirror of the hands"), were created by cutting pages and sections of old books and scrolls of sutras, poems and letters, which were arranged in albums in a chronological order or according to social status.{{Harvnb|Frédéric|2005|p=956}} By the early-16th century, calligraphic connoisseurs of the Kohitsu house had practiced activities aimed at preserving ancient calligraphic works.{{Harvnb|Levine|2005|p=182}} Tekagami production appears to have started in the Momoyama period.{{Harvnb|Levine|2005|p=359}} These albums served as model books for calligraphy practice, the emulation of old styles, and as reference works for authentication in the growing antique market.{{Harvnb|Levine|2005|p=183}} Today, the selection of calligraphers, and the type of calligraphies in a tekagami, show the changing tastes in classical Japanese-style calligraphy over the years. Four tekagami containing works from the 8th century Nara to the 15th century Muromachi period have been designated as National Treasures.

In Japanese calligraphy the term {{nihongo|Kohitsu|古筆}} originally referred to works by ancient calligraphers, or poets, on scrolls or bound books, created from between the 8th to 15th centuries.{{Harvnb|Frédéric|2005|p=543}} In today's use, the term mainly describes copies of poetry anthologies from the Heian to mid-Kamakura period.{{cite web |url=http://www.tnm.go.jp/en/servlet/Con?pageId=D01&processId=02&event_id=809&event_idx=1&initdate=2004/08/01&dispdate=2004/10/16 |title=Kohitsu : Ancient calligraphy |year=2004 |work=Thematic Exhibition |publisher=Tokyo National Museum |access-date=2011-02-21 }} Since they were made as artful daily items for the nobility, in addition to having a beautiful script, attention was given to the choice of paper (which was often decorated), the binding, mountings and even accompanying boxes. Stylistically, kohitsu were written in Japanese kana in cursive script (sōgana). In the Momoyama and early Edo period, surviving kohitsu were often cut (kohitsu-gire), mounted on hanging scrolls and displayed in a tea room. Six scrolls of kohitsu poetry collections from the mid-Heian period have been designated as National Treasures. They were made by two calligraphers: Fujiwara no Yukinari and Ono no Michikaze.

There are three National Treasures writings that do not fit in any of the above categories, all originating in China. Two are 7th century works: a copy of the Thousand Character Classic by Zhi Yong both in formal and cursive scripts, and a tracing copy of a letter by the famous Chinese calligrapher Wang Xizhi. The former workBut not this particular manuscript is said to have been imported to Japan by the legendary scholar Wani in ancient times. One is a 13th-century set of large-scale letters (2 or 3 each) to be displayed on walls or above doorways.

• List of Japanese poetry anthologies
• List of Japanese classic texts
• Nara Research Institute for Cultural Properties
• Tokyo Research Institute for Cultural Properties
• Independent Administrative Institution National Museum

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{{refend}}

{{commons category|National Treasures of Japan (writings)|National Treasure writings}}

{{Lists of National Treasures of Japan}}

{{Cultural Properties of Japan}}

{{featured list}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:List Of National Treasures Of Japan (Writings)}}

Writings

Category:Written communication

Category:Japanese literature

Category:Japanese literature in Classical Chinese

Category:Sutra literature

Category:Chinese literature