Nara Sansai is a three-color glazed pottery produced in Japan during the Nara period (710-794) in imitation of Tang Sansai, and is the oldest glazed pottery in Japan. The Shosoin storehouse contains five three-color glazed wares, 35 two-color glazed wares, and 28 other single-color glazed wares. On the bottom of the Shosoin three-color glazed vase is an inscription, “Kaitoin holy priest offering vase, Tenpyo Shoho seven years, July 10, Todaiji Temple,” which suggests the date of production. Shosoin sansai differs from Tang sansai in terms of base, glaze, form, design, and execution. Since the same tile clay from the Nara period was used to make these tiles, they were fired in Japan, but the kiln site is not clear.
