The Shōsōin Treasury, located near the Tōdaiji monastery in Nara, Japan, houses over 9000 objects and ancient documents dating to the eighth century or earlier. These diverse objects showcase the cultural traditions of not only Nara Japan, but also Silla Korea, Tang China, the Central Asian kingdoms, Sasanian Iran, and beyond. This inaugural conference, “The Shōsōin Imperial Treasury: New Directions in Research,” engages specialists to discuss new trajectories in the Shōsōin studies. The conference features an opening lecture by Professor Yukio Lippit, panel discussions with renowned scholars, an interview with Natsuki Kitazawa, the curator of the Nara National Museum, and three lightning talks on Shōsōin objects by Harvard graduate students. 

Organized by: Department of History of Art and Architecture, Harvard University and Edwin O. Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies, Harvard University

This is a hybrid event. For in-person and Zoom attendance, please register through the Google Form: https://forms.gle/WpFHh6nuqoWjHCRX7.  If you have any questions, please email them to shosoinconference@gmail.com.