Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPANESE GOVERMENT POLICICIES IN EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND CULTURE 1994 > PART II Chapter 9 Section 5 2

The government designates certain tangible cultural works, such as paintings, sculptures, other works of fine and applied arts, and historic buildings and other structures as important cultural properties. Items that have an especially high value in the context of world culture and are regarded as unique treasures of the people are designated as national treasures.

When designating works of fine and applied arts, the government gives priority to items from the Asuka period (593-710) through the Edo period (1600-1868) in the case of paintings, sculptures, applied artworks, calligraphy, and so on, and to items that reflect historical developments in the case of archaeological and historical resources. In June 1994 a polychrome painting on silk of eleven-headed Kannon (the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara), the only such masterpiece from the Heian period (794-1185), was elevated from important cultural property to national treasure. Wood statues of thousand-armed Kannon and attendant bodhisattvas in Dojoji temple, Wakayama Prefecture, were also elevated from the status of important cultural property to national treasure. In addition, the government designated 43 new important cultural properties, including a red lacquer tea tray from the collection of Saidaiji temple, Nara Prefecture, that is an important example of lacquerware from the Muromachi period (1333-1568).

In regard to historic buildings and other structures, surveys are being carried out in all prefectures with the aim of preserving structures relating to industrial, transportation, and civil engineering that played an important role in Japan's modernization. In fiscal 1993 the Usui Toge railway facilities in Gunma Prefecture and other structures were designated as Japanese modernization period monuments (buildings) and given the status of important cultural property. In addition, survey and designation work is being carried out concerning early modern architecture from the Meiji era (1868-1912) onward. In July 1994 the old main building and gatehouse of the faculty of agriculture of Iwate University (formerly Morioka Higher Agricultural School) were designated as important cultural properties.

In principle, the custody, maintenance, and repair of cultural properties designated by the government are carried out by the holders of those items. If items are not properly maintained by their holders, however, the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs may designate a local government as the custodial body for custody, repair, and so on.

National subsidies are provided for the systematic repair of works of fine and applied arts and historic buildings and other structures in accordance with such factors as the frequency with which the items require repair. The government also implements various programs, including the provision of facilities and equipment for use in conservation and disaster prevention.