Todaiji Temple Shosoin

JAPAN, Nara

Shosoin means treasure house and it is located within Todaiji (Great Eastern Temple) on the north side of the main hall. The treasure house was constructed during the Nara period (710–794). It stands in a courtyard surrounded by a wall. At that time, many governmental offices and temples had such storehouses, where grain and Buddhist treasures respectively were kept. As Todaiji is currently the only temple with an extant treasure house, Shosoin refers specifically to that in Todaiji. It is now administered by the Imperial Household Agency and was listed as a National Treasure in 1997.
The nine-by-three bay structure is 33 m wide, 9.4 m deep, and 14 m high. It has a hip roof covered with cylindrical tiles. It has a raised floor supported by 30 pillars approximately 2.5 m high. The walls are built using long thin logs stacked horizontally and interlocking at the corners. The interior is divided into south, north, and central store rooms, the last of which is an airtight chamber. Although it has undergone many repairs, it retains the features of the Nara period and plays an important role in the history of Japanese architecture. Stored within the treasure house are the belongings of Emperor Shomu (reigned 724–749), gifts and treasures from Horyuji Temple, Dharma instruments used to inaugurate the Vairocana Buddha statue at the Golden Hall of the temple, as well as over 9,000 other items. The treasures, which belonged to the imperial courts, are well preserved and have great historical and artistic value.