Toji Temple's Hundred-Box Old Documents Registered Memory of the World

Toji Temple in Kyoto is a historical structure built in 796 by Emperor Saga in honor of the founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism Kukai. This episode tells not of the temple itself, but a set of valuable documents originally preserved at the temple.

"Toji Hyakugo Monjo (Toji Temple Hundred-Box Old Documents)" as it is called is a set of 25,000 thousand pieces of ancient documents accumulated over about 1,000 years from 8th century down to 18th century. The documented are stored in 100 boxes of paulownia wood.
In 1967, Kyoto Prefecture purchased the documents from Toji Temple and the documents are currently stored in the repository of the Kyoto Prefectural Library and Archives. The invaluable documents were designated National Treasures in 1997.

The documents are full of firsthand information on how the temple was managed, its events as well as the life and culture in the Middle Ages.
Director Hiroshi Kanaya of the Kyoto Prefectural Library and Archives said in his interview on October 10:

"It took some time for the news to reach us and I was restless.  I am gratified to learn and the documents are registered Memory of the World and I feel a bit tense in the solemn atmosphere of the occasion."

"Now that the Toji Hyakugo Monjo are registered Memory of the World, we believe the world should know what it is. We will prepare data in foreign languages to help foreigners study this invaluable set of data on the Middle Ages".

Currently, the documents are open for the public only in part. About half is retained as in original and the rest under repair. Experts on paper testify that the Toji Hyakugo Monjo provide super data for the study of paper in the Middle Ages.