National treasures of Japan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jomon vessel with flame-like ornamentation, a national treasure of Japan.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of the government of Japan designates the most famous of the nation's cultural properties as National Treasures (国宝: kokuhō). Examples of the types of works that receive this designation are

Buildings such as castles, temples, shrines
Paintings, scrolls, sutras, and works of calligraphy
Statues in stone, bronze, wood, lacquer or other materials
Crafts, such as pottery, lacquer ware, carvings, metals, netsuke, swords and textiles
Archeological and historical artifacts, including burial objects, documents, and letters
People, called "living treasures"

Many of Japan's national treasures are in museums such as the national museums in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara. The prefectural and city governments also operate public museums, and these and private museums also house national treasures. Many Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, castles and similar installations also open their buildings and grounds to the public, and some have museums as well. The Imperial Household of Japan holds many national treasures. Kyoto boasts about one in five national treasures.

The term Living National Treasure is an informal designation for a person whom the government has recognized as exemplary in carrying on Japanese traditions. Performing artists in genres including noh, bunraku, and kabuki, and artists and artisans in traditional crafts, have received this distinction.

1 Former and Present National Treasures
2 The Number of Cultural Properties of Japan
3 List of National Treasures
4 External link

[edit] Former and Present National Treasures

The word "National Treasure" has been used since 1897. However, the term "National Treasure" is different before and after 1950. Before 1950, all the nation-designated cultural properties were called "National Treasure". At that time, 5824 art works and 1059 buildings were National Treasures. On August 29, 1950, the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties were enforced and all National Treasures were regarded as "Important Cultural Properties"(重要文化財). Some of them have been designated as new "National Treasures" since June 9, 1951.

[edit] The Number of Cultural Properties of Japan

As of August 1, 2006, the numbers of national cultural properties are as follows;

National Treasures(arts and crafts) : 860

233 in Tokyo

204 in Kyoto

143 in Nara

55 in Osaka

33 in Shiga prefectures

National Treasures(building structures) : 213

64 in Nara

48 in Kyoto

22 in Shiga

11 in Hyogo

7 in Hiroshima and Wakayama prefectures

Special Historic Sites : 60

10 in Nara

4 in Fukuoka

3 in Iwate, Ibaragi, Gunma, Shizuoka and Kyoto prefectures

Special Scenic Places : 29

11 in Kyoto

Special Natural Monuments : 72
National Preservation Districts: 78

[edit] List of National Treasures

This article or section is incomplete and may require expansion and/or cleanup.
Please improve the article, or discuss the issue on the talk page.