West Shosoin is a museum located in Misato Town, Higashiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture. It is a faithful architectural reproduction of the Shosoin Repository in Nara. The facility serves as an important place for preserving and sharing the cultural heritage of the Nara period, introducing visitors to the history and cultural appeal of the region.
The West Shosoin was built after a bronze mirror of the same type as the Rokka-mon Flower Mirror (Karakusa Rikka-kyō), preserved in the Southern Repository of Nara’s Shosoin, was discovered to be held in the collection of Misato Town.
The original Shosoin in Nara is famous as a repository for imperial treasures from the Nara period. The historic building itself is also an important cultural asset. Using original architectural drawings of the Shosoin, which had previously been kept strictly confidential, the West Shosoin was reconstructed with meticulous attention to detail. The building uses natural Kiso hinoki cypress trees that were between 400 and 500 years old.
As with the original Shosoin in Nara, visitors can enter the West Shosoin and view its interior. The building conveys the construction techniques and architectural concepts of the Nara period, offering an opportunity to appreciate the beauty and ingenuity of traditional Japanese architecture.
Inside, visitors can see displays of traditional crafts and cultural properties from the period. The facility also introduces the Shiwasu Festival, a traditional event associated with the legend of the Baekje royal family.
The West Shosoin was created not simply to reproduce a historic building, but also to preserve and pass on Japan’s historical heritage. The project used architectural drawings of the original Shosoin held by the Imperial Household Agency, allowing the building to be recreated faithfully down to its finer details.
Completed in 1996, the West Shosoin has become a place of cultural significance and is widely appreciated by local residents and visitors.
In recognition of its original reconstruction and its role as a center for sharing local culture, the West Shosoin received the Handmade Hometown Award in fiscal 1997 (Heisei 9).
This award recognizes outstanding initiatives that protect regional culture and traditions and pass them on to future generations. The honor reflects the important contribution the West Shosoin makes to the local community.
The West Shosoin displays crafts and cultural properties associated with the Nara period. The bronze mirrors are among the highlights of the collection. These objects offer a glimpse into the advanced craftsmanship and artistic skills of the period, helping visitors appreciate the sophistication of ancient Japanese culture.
The facility also introduces the Shiwasu Festival, a traditional event believed to be connected with the legend of the Baekje royal family. The festival has a long history and remains an important cultural event for local residents.
Based on ancient legends and historical traditions, the festival expresses the area’s distinctive cultural identity and its enduring connection with the past.
From Hyuga-shi Station on the JR Nippo Main Line, take a bus from the Miyazaki Kotsu bus stop at Miyako-machi. Board a bus bound for Mikado and travel for approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. Get off at the Kudara no Yakata-mae bus stop; the West Shosoin is a short walk away.
The West Shosoin plays an important role not only in introducing cultural treasures from the Nara period to modern visitors, but also in preserving and promoting the culture of the local area.
Through this facility, future generations are expected to have continuing opportunities to encounter and learn about the history and culture of ancient Japan.