The Shuzoko Treasure Storage is a three-story concrete building that contains many of Kosanji Temple’s precious relics. It houses over 12,000 artifacts including scriptures, scrolls, and various written works. Many items date from the Heian period (794–1185), noted for its art and literature, and the Kamakura period (1185–1333), during which Buddhism spread rapidly through Japan. The artifacts in the building were collectively designated an Important Cultural Property in 1981 and are prized by researchers.
To make sure the relics stay in the best possible condition, the building is open only to scholars.
Heian period
The Heian period lasted for approximately 400 years between the transfer of the capital to Heian-kyo (present day Kyoto) by Emperor Kanmu in 794 and the foundation of the Kamakura Shogunate in 1185. The period is often divided into three sections: the Early, Mid- and Late Heian periods. In other words, the period of reviving the political system based on Ritsuryo codes, the regency period and the Insei period (governed by a retired emperor), respectively. (The end of the Late Heian period was ruled by the Taira clan.) Also referred to as the period of the Heian imperial court.
Kamakura period
The name of the period that lasted for approximately 150 years from when Minamoto no Yoritomo founded the shogunate in Kamakura until Hojo Takatoki’s death in 1333.
