Sutra Desk with Tortoiseshell

玳瑁張経台

At a glance — Art Object · Nara period, 8th century · held by Tokyo National Museum · designated Important Cultural Property of Japan.

Fact Sheet

Designation: Important Cultural Property (重要文化財)
Category: Art Objects
Period: Nara period, 8th century
Date: 701–800
Held by: Tokyo National Museum
Location: Ueno, Tokyo
Catalogue ID: cobas-117718

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Same period: Nara art objects →
At this museum: All 1632 works here →

From the Collection of Hōryūji Treasures, Box with Green Glass and Pearl Inlays (N-89) containing The Lotus Sutra in Small Characters (N-7) were allegedly kept atop this low sutra desk. The tabletop is made from rare materials such as black persimmon wood and spotted bamboo. The legs are ornamented with thin sheets of animal horns or tortoiseshell painted with birds and plants.

— Museum description: Tokyo National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.

Record & Sources

Designation: Important Cultural Property (重要文化財), Government of Japan
Catalogue ID: cobas-117718 (permanent)
Official record: Japan Search — jpsearch.go.jp/item/cobas-117718
Holder's collection: ColBase — Tokyo National Museum
Photograph: Tokyo National Museum, via ColBase — CC BY 4.0. CC BY 4.0 licence

Cite this page: “Sutra Desk with Tortoiseshell（玳瑁張経台）.” Treasures of Japan, catalogue no. cobas-117718. Tokyo National Museum. https://treasures.yamato-kenkou.com/treasures/sutra-desk-with-tortoiseshell/ — entry last verified 1 November 2026.

Full record data (as published in the official catalogue record)