English

Japanese culture

Cultural heritages in Japan

TOP > Japanese culture

Japanese Culture

I would like to introduce you Japanese culture. in ths page.
There is wide range of Japanese culture,
so, first I will introduce 'National Treasures',
'Important Cultural Properties' and 'Intangible Cultural Heritages'.
Then I will add some other types of cultures later.

1. National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties in Japan
First of all, I will explain the definition of National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. The Japanese Cultural Assets Preservation Act designates tangible and intangible cultural assets which are important from the historical and artistic points of view, and archeological assets and other scholary historical assets as 'Cultural Properties'.

The law divides the assets into 6 categories as follows.
1. Tangible cultural properties.
2. Intangible cultural properties.
3. Folk cultural properties.
4. Memorials (historic sites, scenic beauty and natural treasures).
5. Cultural landscape.
6. Traditional constructions.

Among 'Tangible cultural properties', the ones designated by the nation (Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) are called 'Important Cultural Properties'.

And the properties among 'Important Cultural Properties' which are especially highly produced and historically significant are designated as 'National Treasures'.

The number of Important Cultural Properties is 12,655 (National Treasures is 1,076) at the end of 2008.

National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties are divided into 'Cunstructions' and 'Arts and Crafts'. And 'Arts and Crafts' is divided into 7 categories as follows.

Constructions
Arts and Crafts
　Paintings
　Sculptures
　Crafts
　Calligraphy and books
　Ancient letters
　Archeological documents
　Historical documents

2. World Intangible Cultural Heritages
'Wolrd Intangible Cultural Heritages' is a list maintained by UNESCO with pieces of intangible culture considered relevant by that organization which was adopted in 2003. The first list was maid in 2008.

Previous to the convention coming into force, 90 properties are released as 'The Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity'.

From Japan, the following heritages are on the list.
2008
Nogaku
Ningyo joruri bunraku
Kabuki

2009
Gagaku (court music)
Ojiya-chijimi & Echigo-johu (ramie fabric)
Sekishu-banshi (paper making)
Hitachi Furyumono (festival float)
Kyoto Gion Festival (Yamahoko float ceremony)
Toshidon of Koshikijima (Shinto ceremony)
Aenokoto of Okunoto (rice paddy ceremony)
Hayachine kagura (Shinto music and dance)
Taue-odori of Akiu (rice planting dance)
Chakkirako (New year dance)
Dainichido bugaku (medieval dance)
Daimokutate (story chanting and dancing)
Koshikibuyo of Ainu (traditional dance)

2010
Kumiodori (Okinawa musical theater)
Yuki-tsumugi (silk fabric)

2011
Hanataue of Mibu (rice planting ceremony)
Sadashinno (nogaku of Sada Shrine)

2012
Nachi no Dengaku (religious performing art)

2013
Washoku (traditional Japanese cuisine)

2014
Washi (traditional Japanese handmade paper)

2016
Festival Floats (from 33 festivals all over Japan)

2018
Raiho-shin, ritual visits of deities in masks and costumes

2020
Traditional skills, techniques and knowledge for the conservation and transmission of wooden architecture in Japan

2022
Furyu-odori, ritual dances imbued with people's hopes and prayers

2024
Traditional Japanese Sake Making

3. Memories of the World
The program began in 1992 by UNESCO as a way to preserve and promote documentary heritage, which can be a single document, a collection, a holding or an archival fonds that is deemed to be of such significance as to transcend the boundaries of time and culture.

From Japan, the following heritages are on the list.

2011
Paintings of Chikuho Coal Mine by Sakubei Yamamoto

2013
Midokanpakuki: the original handwritten diary of Fujiwara no Michinaga

Materials Related to the Keicho-era Mission to Europe

2015
Archives of Toji temple contained in one-hundred boxes

Return to Maizuru Port: Documents Related to the Internment and Repatriation Experiences of Japanese (1945-1956)

2016
Three Cherished Stelae of Ancient Kozuke

2017
Documents on Joseon Tongsinsa/Chosen Tsushinshi: The History of Peace Building and Cultural Exchanges between Korea and Japan from the 17th to 19th Century

2023
The Monk Enchin Archives: A History of Japan-China Cultural Exchange