y The Shoso-in Repository z
The Shoso-in Repository is situated to
the back or the north-west of the Great
Buddha Hall of the Todai-ji Temple. Originally
there were many repositories in this
area, but now only this present one has survived.
On the 21st of June, 756, the 77th day
after the death of the Emperor Shomu,
the Empress Komyo held a memorial service
for him. At that time she dedicated a
number of his possesions to the Great Buddha
of Toddai-ji for his happiness in the
next world. She dedicated numerous other
treasures to the temple on several other
occasions, and they were all placed in the
Shoso-in Repository. This vast collection
has been protected from both war and natural
disasters for over 1,200 years.
Writing utencils, musical instruments,
costumes, medicines, toys, sutras, weapons,
altar fittings and household furnishings
are in this fabulous treasure chest.
The Shoso-in Repository is 33 meters
in width, 9.4 meters in depth, and more than
14 meters in height. This construction has
a ghigh-floorhbuilt on tall pillars,
almost 2.7 meters above the ground level,
and built of Japnese cypress in a style
very similar to that of the American pioneer's
log cabin and is calledgAzekura style.h
The main difference is
that the logs were cut in a triangular shape.
This unique construction was devised
to maintain a regular level of humidity and
temperature inside by means of the
natural expansion and contraction of those
logs.
Its contains provide us with fascinating
examples of the court objects in use
during the 8th century, and demonstrate the
overwhelming influence of China on life
in ancient Nara City as the Japanese capital.
The Shoso-in collection
contains
numerous pieces from Asia, Sasanian Persia,
India and the countries of the eastern
Mediterranean Sea. Thus it is appropriate
to regard the Shoso-in Repository as the
eastern terminus of the great Silk Road.
Since 1963 these treasures have been
preserved in the air-conditioned ferro-
concrete building. The repository and the
treasures, therefore, are now kept
separately.
Todai-ji Map
Nara Map
