The Shosoin, Imperial Repository, Nara In the ancient city of Nara, Japan, not far from the great Todaiji temple, lies the Imperial Repository, the Shosoin. This was a seventh century building specially constructed to prevent the natural damage caused by Japanese very damp climate. Herein are contained numerous items from the Nara period that were at that time considered worthy of preservation. Numerous musical instruments are included here. The works continued in this repository also show a the strong Persian influence which permeated the culture of T'ang and that was carried over into Korea and Japan.
          A view of the great Todaiji with the Shosoin building in the upper left.
          The old Shosoin repository building, recently replaced by a concrete structure to better preserve the contents
          A list in the Shosoin of some of the musical instruments preserved there.
          A five string biwa, lute, preserved in the Shosoin showing the elaborate decoration employed during the Nara period in Japan.

           

           

          Links to other related pages
          Ya-yueh in Korea.
          Yen-Yueh in T'ang China and in Korea.
          Japanese Kagura
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          The border is a section of the silk robes worn by dancers of the Right Group of the Imperial Palace Music Ensemble.

          Last Updated 12.15.98