The 66th annual exhibition of important cultural artifacts from the Shoso-in treasure house opened to the public on Friday with 59 items on display, including over a half dozen appearing for the first time.

Included in the displays of artifacts from the Nara Period (710-794) are a series of folding screens known as "torige ritsujo no byobu" (folding screen panels with bird feathers), which feature women of the period under a tree in clothing adorned with feathers.

Up to six of the screens are believed to have been displayed in the bedroom of Emperor Shomu (701-756). Four are on display in Nara and the other two will be shown at the Tokyo National Museum.