NARA - At the World Heritage-listed Shosoin in Nara, the annual ‘Opening Ceremony’ was held, during which the doors of the treasure house were unsealed.
At 10 a.m., an imperial envoy and officials from the Imperial Household Agency purified their hands and mouths with water before heading to the West Repository, where they unlocked the doors that had remained closed for a year.
Shosoin houses around 9,000 artifacts, including relics of Emperor Shomu and crafts that arrived via the Silk Road, preserving the culture of the Tenpyo era from some 1,300 years ago.
Each year during this period, a two-month-long inspection and survey of the treasures is conducted.
During the same period, 67 items, including the celebrated ‘Ruri no Hai’ (Lapis Lazuli Cup), will be put on public display.
The ‘Shosoin Exhibition’ will be held at the Nara National Museum from October 25th to November 10th.
Source: KTV NEWS
