Everything about National Treasures Of Japan totally explained
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 (:
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 National Treasures (人間国宝: ningen kokuhō)"
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.
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.
Former and present national treasures
"National Treasure" has been used since
1897, though the term's pre-1950 and post-1950 significance is different. Before
1950, all the state-designated cultural properties were called "National Treasures". At that time, 5,824 art works and 1,059 buildings were so designated. On August 29, 1950, the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties came into force, and all National Treasures became "Important Cultural Properties" (重要文化財:
jūyō bunka zai). Some of them have been designated as new "National Treasures" since June 9,
1951.
The number of National Treasures of Japan
As of August 1, 2006, the numbers of national cultural properties are:
National Treasures (arts and crafts): 860, of which there are:
- 233 in Tokyo
- 204 in Kyoto
- 143 in Nara
- 55 in Osaka
- 33 in Shiga prefectures
National Treasures (structures): 213, of which there are:
- 64 in Nara
- 48 in Kyoto
- 22 in Shiga
- 11 in Hyogo
- 7 in Hiroshima and Wakayama Prefectures
Source: Database of National Cultural Properties
, the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan.
Gallery
Image:Horyu-ji08s3200.jpg|Horyu-ji Golden Hall and Pagoda
Image:Horyu-ji36s3200.jpg|Horyu-ji Yumedono
Image:Himejicastle17.jpg|Himeji castle Grand Tower
Image:Japan Uji ByodoIn phoenix hall DSC00409.jpg|Byodoin Phoenix Hall
Image:Kiyomizudera sakra01.jpg|Kiyomizudera temple Main Hall
Image:Nijo Castle.jpg|Nijo Castle Ninomaru Palace
Image:Toji-temple-kyoto.jpg|Five Story pagoda in Tō-ji
Image:Itsukushima floating shrine.jpg|Itsukushima Shrine Main Hall
Image:Toudaiji daibutsuden 1.jpg|Todai-ji temple Golden Hall
Image:YakushijiPagoda.jpg|Yakushi-ji temple Eastern Tower
Image:Nikko Toshogu Gate.jpg|Nikko Toshogu Yomeimon Gate
Image:KongouZanmaiin Tahoto.jpg|KongouZanmaiin Tahoto Tower in Mt. Koya
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