ABOUT
"The collection, which was registered in UNESCO’s Memory of the World, includes 56 national treasures owned by Miidera and the Tokyo National Museum consisting of items left by Chisho Daishi Enchin (814-891), who committed his life to furthering Tendai Buddhism and Esoteric Buddhism. The documents ant texts cover a vast array of fields.
The materials from Enchin’s journey to Tang China date back to the 9th century and vividly narrate the cultural exchange between Japan and China at the time. They include the original passports issued by Tang officials, valuable documents that not only shed light on the Tang legal system but are also known as the only surviving examples in good condition in the world. The collection also contains various other materials dating back to the 9th century, including official documents related to the establishment of Japan’s national system and handwritten documents showing devotion to Enchin as a founder of the Tendai sect.
At the time, Tang China had an established legal system and was a great empire, influencing the East Asian world, but most of its records have been lost today. The fact that the original documents and texts from Japan and China have been preserved together is of great importance from the perspective of archiving world history.
Miidera will continue to share the achievements of our founder Chisho Daishi Enchin, and the universal value of the documents and texts he left behind."
About UNESCO’S Memory of the World
A UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) initiative aimed at protecting and raising awareness of globally important documents and images, which contains 494 internationally registered items (as of the end of October 2023), including Anne Frank’s diary and Beethoven’s original manuscript of Symphony No. 9, with 8 items from Japan, such as Fujiwara no Michinaga’s Mido Kanpakuki and the Toji Hyakugo Monjo.
Registration Details
- Applicant
- Onjoji (Miidera) Religious Corporation
Independent Administrative Institution National Institutes for Cultural Heritage Tokyo National Museum - Registered Title
- The documents concerning Chisho Daishi Enchin — History of the Cultural Exchange Between Japan and China —
The Monk Enchin Archives: A History of Japan-China Cultural Exchange - Registered Records
- National Treasure "The documents concerning Chisho Daishi Enchin" Total of 46 Items
National Treasure "The Five Abhisambodhi" Total of 1 Item
Owner: Onjoji (Miidera) Religious Corporation
National Treasure "Documents Related to Enchin" Total of 8 Items
National Treasure "Imperial Decree Granting Ecclesiastical Rank of Hoin Daikasho and Posthumous Name Chisho Daishi to Daishi to Enchin" Total of 1 Item
Managing Organization: Independent Administrative Institution National Institutes for Cultural Heritage Tokyo National Museum