Chapter 3. For the Protection and Utilization of Cultural Properties
�3 Promotion of the Preservation and Utilization of Cultural Properties
2. Intangible Cultural Properties
(2) Training of successors
The preservation of a skilled individual alone is not sufficient for the preservation of Important Intangible Cultural Properties. It is essential that the skill be taught and thus transmitted to another. In this sense, the training of successors, a task which demands urgent attention, is the foundation for the preservation of intangible cultural properties.
In the fields of performing arts and craft techniques, Designated individuals and designated holding bodies are making efforts on their own to ensure the continuation of their skills through successors. In order to encourage these efforts, since 1964 the national government has been providing those holding individual recognition status (so-called "Living National Treasures") with a special subsidy (as of 1993. 2 million yen each per year) for the purpose of polishing their own skills and training successors. The national government also bears a portion of the expenses for training programs conducted by holding bodies and local governments. In addition to these, the National Theatre conducts training programs for successors in the performing arts, such as Noh. Bunraku and Kabuki
