Books' refers to various written works like sutras, monogatari (tales), waka poetry anthologies, and history books; among all these books, some works, like for example the Koyagire-bon (copied manuscript) of the "Kokin wakashu" (A Collection of Ancient and Modern Japanese Poetry), are by past calligraphy masters and are considered historically valuable as calligraphy pieces but are still included in the Books sub-category, yet most of the items designated national treasures as books are more highly regarded for their value as ko denpon (ancient books transcribed and still extant) texts of literature or history rather than for their value as calligraphy works.
「典籍」は経典、物語、和歌集、歴史書などの著作物のことでこの中には高野切本（こうやぎれぼん）古今和歌集のように書道史上貴重な遺品も含まれるが、書道史上の価値よりも文学作品・歴史書などの古伝本・テキストとしての価値が評価されて指定されたものも多い。