User:Bamse/List of National Treasures (ancient documents)

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main page Blurb[edit]

Texts in Chinese letters on brownish aged paper. A red handprint is placed over the text.

The term "National Treasure" has been used in Japan to denote cultural properties since 1897. Currently this label is the highest distinction of tangible cultural properties and is assigned by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, a special body of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, for objects of "especially high historical or artistic value". "Ancient documents" is one of thirteen categories of national treasures recognized by the agency and includes 60 documents or sets of documents from classical to early modern Japan, from the Asuka period to the Meiji period.

The designated items are of various type such as letters, diaries, records or catalogues, certificates, imperial decrees, testaments and maps. They record early Japanese government and Buddhism including early Japanese contact with China, the organization of the state and life at the Japanese imperial court. They are housed in 14 Japanese cities in temples (35), museums (13), libraries or archives (5), shrines (3), universities (2) and in private collections (2). Most treasures (28) are located in Kyoto. These documents were made predominantly with a writing brush on paper and, in many cases, present important examples of calligraphy. (more...)

intro[edit]

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]

  • protohistory...mention of Wa (Japan) in Chinese books (compare with NT)
  • oldest history made in japan: nihon shoki, kojiki ?
  • ancient japanese history
  • first writings are inscriptions on swords, mirrors,... (from china/korea)
  • first extant japanese writings from about 700 (nihon shoki, kojiki)

Writing was physically introduced to Japan from China in the form of inscribed artefacts around the year 0. Examples for these artefacts—some of which have been designated as archaeological national treasures—include: coins of the reign of Wang Mang (AD 8–25), a 1st century gold seal from Shikanoshima, a late 2nd century iron sword from the Tōdaijiyama burial mound, the Seven-Branched Sword with inscription from 369 and a large number of bronze mirrors, the oldest dating to the 3rd century.[1][2][3] All of these artefacts originated on the continent, most likely in China. Though written inscriptions were present at this period, they were likely not recognized as such by the Japanese who might have mistaken them for decorations.[1] This ignorance likely continued, when Japanese later manufactured mirrors locally as copies of Chinese originals.[4][5]

The concept of writing came to Japan from the Korean kingdom of Baekje in the form of classical Chinese books likely written on paper and in the form of manuscript rolls (kansubon).[1][6] This event occured probably at the beginning of the 5th century (around 400), certainly at least during the 6th century.[7][6] According to legend, the scholar Wani is credited for introducing the Chinese writing system together with Confucianism to Japan.[6] The abrupt transition from not knowing what writing was to reading and writing of complicated works in a foreign language, meant that the first texts in Japan were composed and read by people from the continent such as Wani.[6] Soon afterwards, scribes were appointed to the provinces to "record events and report conditions".[8][9] The oldest texts of Japanese origin which show a clear understanding of the concept of writing date to the 5th century and are—like most texts from before 700—inscriptions on stone or metal.[10] Examples include three archaeological National Treasures: Suda Hachiman Shrine Mirror from about the 5th century which is a poor copy of a Chinese original, the Inariyama Sword from 471 or 531 and the Eta Funayama burial mound sword from about the 5th century.[11][12] Inscriptions on both swords show Koreanisms suggesting that Korean scholars and their decendants were involved in writing activity in Japan. The Inariyama Sword is also the oldest example of man'yōgana use, a writing system that employs Chinese characters to represent the Japanese language.[13] While the use of writing in Japan was very limited during the 5th and 6th centuries, the number of documents written locally increased in the 7th century; though most of them were lost.[14][7] Due to the increasing cultural dependence on China, by the end of the 7th century, reading and writing had become an integral part of Japanese life particularly in government and religion.[14] There were two major factors for this development: firstly, starting with the Taika Reforms (645–649) and continued with the Asuka Kiyomihara Code (689) and censuses from 670 and 690, a Chinese style centralised state was formed. This required a large number of literate officials who were educated in among others Confucian texts at the Daigakuryo ("University") founded under Emperor Tenchi.[14] The second factor was the increasing popularity of Buddhism, which had been introduced to Japan in the mid 6th century and strongly promoted by Prince Shōtoku (574–622).[14] The Sangyō Gisho ("Annotated Commentaries on the Three Sutras") traditionally attributed to Prince Shōtoku is the oldest extant text of any length.[15] The study of Buddhism required studying sutras written in Chinese and the state founded a Sutra Copying Bureau (shakyojo) before 727.[nb 1][14] The oldest Japanese books are two chronicles, Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, from the early 8th century. While the phonogram orthography enjoyed increasing popularity during the 8th century, it was not yet used for longer prose. The modern kana, notably hiragana and katakana were developed in the Heian period.[16]

early inscriptions imported from continent[edit]

  • writing was physically (not as a way to express language; likely not recognised as writing by Japanese) introduced to Japan from China in the form of inscribed artefacts around the beginning of CE[1], examples (all of them executed on continent, probably in China; therefore no evidence of use of writing in Japan nor that the Japanese understood the function of writing):
    • earliest such artefacts are inscribed coins minted during reign of Wang Mang (AD 8-25) and brought to Japan in 1st or 2nd century[1]
    • other early example is a 1st cent. gold seal (NT!) excavated at Shikanoshima[1]
    • late 2nd century iron sword with inscription from Todaijiyama burial mound[2]
    • Seven-Branched Sword with inscr. from 369 (according to inscription)[2]
    • Chinese mirrors with inscriptions were often presented to Japan from China; lots of them excavated; oldest around 3rd century[3]

early inscriptions made in japan[edit]

  • earliest inscribed artefacts manufactured in Japan are mirrors imitating Chinese originals[4]
  • it is not clear whether the Japanese makers of these mirrors understood the concept of writing[5]
    • irregularities in the copied texts suggests that the Japanese makers considered the texts merely as pattern[5]

early writing (from 5th c.)[edit]

5th-6th
  • writing probably came to Japan in 5th century, certainly at least during the 6th century[7]
  • first writing was brought to Japan from Korea (Paekche), probably around beginning of 5th century (around 400)[6]
    • according to legend Wani brought Chinese writing system (and confucianism) from Korea[6]
    • this writing was Chinese (Chinese characters arranged according to conventions of classical chinese syntax)[6]
    • for Japanese: abrupt transition from not knowing what writing was to reading and writing in difficult literary variety of a foreign language -> first texts were composed and read by people from continent (Wani and others); this is supported by early 5th century inscriptions[6]
    • introduced books were likely on paper and in the form of manuscript rolls (kansubon)[1]


  • according to nihon shoki: shortly after introduction of writing, scribes were appointed to the provinces to "record events and report conditions"[8][9]
  • earliest texts of Japanese origin which show clear understanding of the function of writing (=visual linguistic record) date to the 5th century[10]
    • such texts (like majority of texts from before 700) are on metal and stone[10]
    • Suda Hachiman Mirror (NT); written in Japan about 5th c.; poor imitation of Chinese original[11]
    • Inariyama Burial Mound sword (NT; 471 or rather 531; inscription endorses established view that immigrant Korean scholars and their decendants were heavily involved in early writing activity in Japan: Koreanisms and use of man'yōgana (in fact oldest extant example)[13]
    • Eta Funayama Burial Mound sword (NT); ca 5th century; Koreanism as in Inariyama sword[12]


7th


  • during 5th and 6th century use of writing in Japan was very limited[14]
  • lots of documents written locally during 7th century; but mostly lost[7]
  • by late 7th century reading/writing had become an integral part of life for some parts of ruling and intellectual classes (due to increasing cultural dependence on China), particularly in government and religion[14]


  • starting with taika reforms (645-649) (and continued with compilation of law code based on tang codes promulgated in 689; and censuses from 670 and 690), a chinese style centralised state was formed; this required a large number of literate officials[14]
    • -> daigakuryo ("University") for future government officials was founded during reign of emperor tenchi (661-72), curriculum included study of confucian texts[14]


  • wooden tablets (very short and typically fragmentary) were mainly used in latter 7th and 8th c. as baggage tallies, shipping labels, writing practice[14]


  • other factor (besides formation of chinese-style state) which led to the rise in importance of writing: increasing popularity of buddhism (introduced in mid 6th c. and greatly promoted by prince shotoku)[14]
    • study of buddhism meant study of sutras written in chinese; in order to promote buddhism, the state setup a sutra copying bureau (shakyojo) before 727[14]
  • Sangyō Gisho (first two decades of 7th c.) attributed to prince shotoku is oldest extant text of any length[15]
8th and after
  • nihon shoki, kojiki
  • during 8th century phonogram orthography became to be used much more widely than before but not yet employed to write extended sequences of Japanese prose[16]

Chinese, Hybrid and Japanese style[edit]

  • Chinese language was employed in early historical writings together with an attempt to use Chinese characters phonetically for the indigeneous language[17]
  • exchanging poems written in Chinese was considered the highest accomplishment among polite society[18]
  • until about mid 7th century; texts were either in chinese style or a chinese oriented hybrid style (a style that bore close resemblance to chinese);[19]
  • hybrid and Japanese styles might at first have appeared revolutionary; but were little popular at the latter 7th century[19]
Chinese style
  • Suda Hachiman Mirror, Inariyama sword and Eta Funayama sword (all see above) are basically in Chinese style (with some Koreanism)[20]
hybrid style
  • initially immigrant scribes in charge of writing in Japan; posts became before long hereditary -> only 1st generation scribes were highly proficient at composing Chinese texts; later generations had restricted contact with Chinese language due to residence in Japan[21]
  • emergence of literate class composed of immigrant scribes with limited ability in written Chinese and participation of native japanese in reading and writing led to a hybrid Chinese/Japanese style[21]
    • examples: gangoji inscription from 596;[21] 7th c. nimbus of yakushi nyorai image at horyu-ji (NT)[22]; both in hybrid style
    • hybrid style characterised by i) Japanese word order and ii) overt representation of Japanese elements (e.g. honorific prefixes)[23]
  • hybrid style might be result of imperfect knowledge of Chinese or intentional (as a deliberate adaption to the very differnt linguistic and cultural environment)[24]
Japanese style
  • oldest example of Japanese style: nimbuses of two of the Four Heavenly Kings at golden hall of horyu-ji (NT) from ca. 650[25]
  • other early examples of Japanese style: Horyu-ji Kanzeon 651? (NT); epitaph by priest Chori of Hokoji temple for his mother 681?[24]
  • intention is clearly to represent Japanese language in writing (unlike hybrid style; which might have disambiguous causes; see above)[24]

documents tell about[edit]

  • (buddhist) religion
  • contact to china/korea
  • state organization (ritsuryo,...)
  • imperial life (diaries, wills,...)

types[edit]

unknown[edit]

  • Stone in Nasu County


collection[edit]

  • Documents of the Shimazu Family
  • Documents related to the priest Enchin
  • Uesugi Family documents
  • Writings related to the priest Enchin
  • Documents and treasures of Tō-ji
  • Documents of Tōdai-ji
  • hōkanshū

records/catalogues[edit]

  • Origin and history of Bon Festival at Seigan-ji
  • List of Ritual Implements of Esoteric Buddhism and other objects brought back by the Priest Saichō
  • Genealogy of the Amabe Clan
  • etchū kuni kansō nōkoku kōtaiki zankan
  • Name ｌist of Abhiseka initiates
  • Official Register and Inventory for Kanshin-ji
  • Inventory of Kanzeon-ji
  • Kōryū-ji shizai kōtai jitsuroku chō
  • Catalogue of imported items
  • Fragment of a census from 908 in Kuga, Kuga District, Suō Province
  • True record of articles in the possession of Ninna-ji
  • Catalogue of Imported Items
  • Record of Imperial Bequest to the Hōryū-ji temple
  • History and Legends of the Kōryū-ji temple

letters[edit]

  • Letter from the viceroy of Portuguese India
  • Three letters by Kūkai
  • Letter soliciting donations for the restoration of Sennyū-ji temple
  • Letter penned by the Saichō monk
  • Letter written in kana syllabary
  • Letter by Fujiwara no Sari
  • Draft Letters by Fujiwara no Tadamichi
  • Epistle to Zhongfeng Mingben
  • Surviving passages of memorial presented to Emperor Saga
  • Essential Teachings for Tendai Lotus Sect Priests

imperial decree/letters[edit]

  • Model letter by Emperor Takakura
  • Imperial Decree Granting Ecclesiastical Rank of Hōin Daikashō and Posthumous Name Chishō Daishi to Enchin
  • Draft of the petition of foundation of Zenrin-ji by Emperor Kameyama
  • Letter accompanying a prayer for the prosperity of Tō-ji temple, by Emperor Go-Uda
  • Letter of the Emperor Go-Uda, Promotion of the precepts of the Daigo school
  • Model letter by Emperor Go-Saga
  • Imperial letters of three rulers
  • Imperial rescript of Emperor Shōmu
  • Priest Mongaku's forty-five article rules and regulations

maps (2nd half of 8th c.)[edit]

  • Map of Nukata-dera garan and its vicinity
  • Map of rice fields in Naruto, Imizu District, Etchū Province

diary (mid heian to kamakura p.)[edit]

  • Visit of the cloistered Emperor to Kumano
  • Diary of ex-Emperor Go-Uda
  • Moromichi Diary
  • The Record of the Clear Moon
  • Diary of Fujiwara no Michinaga
  • Suisaki
  • Ennin's Diary: The Record of a Pilgrimage to China in Search of the Law

wills (kamakura p. for emperors and 972 for priest)[edit]

  • Will with Handprints by Emperor Go-Uda
  • Testament by Emperor Go-Daigo
  • Will and testament of Emperor Go-Toba with handprint
  • Testament of the priest Jie

certificate[edit]

  • Certificate of advanced learning in Buddhism
  • Tenchō injin
  • Ordination certificate of monk Kōjō
  • Certificate of priesthood for Saichō and related papers to and from the controller of priesthood
  • Passing permits for Dengyō-daishi
  • rigen daishi　hitsu shobunshō (?)
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Seeley 1991, p. 9
  2. ^ a b c Seeley 1991, p. 10
  3. ^ a b Seeley 1991, p. 11
  4. ^ a b Seeley 1991, p. 12
  5. ^ a b c Seeley 1991, p. 13
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Seeley 1991, p. 6
  7. ^ a b c d Keally, Charles T. (2009-06-14). "Historic Archaeological Periods in Japan". Japanese Archaeology. Charles T. Keally. Retrieved 2010-09-09.
  8. ^ a b Seeley 1991, p. 8
  9. ^ a b Sakamoto 1991, p. 3
  10. ^ a b c Seeley 1991, p. 16
  11. ^ a b Seeley 1991, p. 17
  12. ^ a b Seeley 1991, p. 24
  13. ^ a b Seeley 1991, p. 23
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Seeley 1991, p. 40
  15. ^ a b Seeley 1991, p. 41
  16. ^ a b Seeley 1991, p. 55
  17. ^ Lu 1997, p. 21
  18. ^ Lu 1997, p. 22
  19. ^ a b Seeley 1991, p. 31
  20. ^ Seeley 1991, p. 25
  21. ^ a b c Seeley 1991, p. 26
  22. ^ Seeley 1991, p. 27
  23. ^ Seeley 1991, p. 28
  24. ^ a b c Seeley 1991, p. 30
  25. ^ Seeley 1991, p. 29


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