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Kanji for Treasure
The kanji most commonly used for "Treasure" are 宝、財.
宝
Kanji that mean Treasure
宝 (takara / hō) is treasure — a roof 宀 over 玉, a jewel: precious things kept in the house. Its old form 寶 crammed jade, pottery and shell-money under the roof; the modern one keeps just the jewel. 宝物 (takaramono) is a treasure — and in everyday speech it is what a child calls a shell, and a parent calls the child. 国宝 is a National Treasure; 宝くじ is the lottery; the Takarazuka theatre and countless names (Takara) carry it.
財 (zai) is treasure as wealth — assets, property: 財産, 財宝 (riches and treasures together). 玉 (tama / gyoku) is the jewel itself, the oldest treasure-character, still meaning both gem and, warmly, something precious.
The cultural note: Japan’s ships come in on 宝船 — the treasure ship of the Seven Lucky Gods, sailed across New Year dreams to deliver fortune.
Words using Treasure kanji
Everyday Japanese vocabulary built from the characters above.
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宝石
ほうせき
gem; jewel; precious stone
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財政
ざいせい
public finance; financial affairs; financial situation
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国宝
こくほう
national treasure
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財源
ざいげん
source of funds; resources; finances
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宝庫
ほうこ
treasury; treasure house; storehouse
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財界
ざいかい
financial world; business circles
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宝物
たからもの
treasure; treasured item; prized possession
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財団
ざいだん
foundation (institution); syndicate; group
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宝飾
ほうしょく
jewels and ornaments; jewelry; jewellery
Before you use Treasure kanji
宝 is an entirely auspicious character — treasure, the precious, the beloved — and it reads warmly rather than materially: many Japanese would think first of 宝物, "my treasure", said of people. 財 by contrast reads as financial assets. For a person you treasure, 宝 alone says it; nothing negative attaches.