Sufukuji Temple Pagoda: Nested Reliquaries

JAPAN, Shiga, Otsu; Nara period

This set of nested rectangular reliquaries was found in the base of the Sufukuji Temple Pagoda in 1938. The outer container is made of gilt bronze, followed by a silver container, and then a gold container. Relics were enshrined in a glass bottle within the gold container. In the immediate area of the reliquary, there were silver coins, a copper bell, an iron mirror, incense, jade, pearls, crystals, and precious stones. All of these items were created during the 8th century and were listed as a National Treasure in 1952.
The dark green glass bottle has a round base, spherical body, and gold lid; it contains three relics. The gold and silver containers have flat bottoms and lids with beveled edges. Each is undecorated and has a simple lock. The outermost gilt bronze container is covered in verdigris, and stands on a base with two cloud-like cutouts on each side.