National Treasures

• System Established: 1884
• Japanese: 国宝 (kokuhou)

Japan maintains several hierarchies or systems of designating objects, structures, and sites as being of cultural or historical importance. Those considered to be of the greatest importance are dubbed National Treasures. National Treasures cannot be exported, and are only loaned overseas on very rare occasions.

A select few individuals considered to be of exceptional prominence or importance in maintaining cultural traditions are named Living National Treasures.

History

The system was established in 1884, in the Meiji period, in conjunction with efforts to create a systematized set of "national" traditions, and a national narrative of Japan's history, comparable to those possessed by "modern" nation-states in the West. The first object to be designated a National Treasure was a 7th century statue of Miroku held at Kôryû-ji in Kyoto.

The Japanese government, which held Korea as a colony from 1910-1945, also compiled a list of "National Treasures of Korea." The Republic of Korea (aka South Korea) today retains that list, with numerous post-independence additions.

Up until 1932, the only buildings that could be designated National Treasures were Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. This was then modified to allow Japanese castles and other sites of historical importance to be added to the category.

Many National Treasures were sadly damaged or destroyed by Allied bombing, or otherwise, during World War II. Prior to that, there were 1,058 sites in Japan designated as National Treasures, incorporating 1,729 buildings.

New legislation in 1950 divided the category of National Treasures into National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, a prestigious but lower-ranking category.

List of National Treasures

Paintings & Calligraphy

• Daitoku-ji, Kyoto:
  • Mu Qi ink triptych (Kannon, crane, monkeys)
  • Fusuma paintings by Kanô Eitoku and Kanô Tan'yû
  • Daitoku-ji Shinju-an - various paintings, works of calligraphy, etc. including works of calligraphy by Daitô Kokushi.
• Eingakyô illustrated sutra scroll (Jôbonrendaiji, Kyoto)

Sculptures

• Byôdô-in (Uji, Kyoto prefecture): Amida statue by Jôchô (1053), along with other sculptures and artifacts on site
• Kôfuku-ji (Nara):
  • Jûdaideshi (Ten Great Disciples) sculptures, dry lacquer, 734
  • Hachibushû (Eight Legions) sculptures, including Ashura, dry lacquer, 734
• Kamakura Daibutsu (Kôtô-in, Kamakura) - constructed 1252
• Kôryû-ji (Kyoto) - 7th century Miroku statue in Korean style (possibly made in Korea) - first object to be designated a National Treasure

Shrines

• Kitano Tenmangû (Kyoto) - haiden and honden, built 1607

Swords

(See Famous Samurai Swords for a list of notable swords, including many National Treasures not listed here.)

Temples

• Daitoku-ji (Kyoto):
  • Daisen-in hôjô (abbot's quarters) - built 1513; oldest hôjô in Japan
  • Karamon gate - possibly from Jurakudai
• Engaku-ji (Kamakura): Shariden - the oldest example in Japan of multi-storied, three-bayed, irimoya Chinese-style architecture
• Ginkaku-ji (Kyoto): Silver Pavilion (1489) and Tôgûdô (1486)
• Myôtsû-ji (Obama, Fukui prefecture) - hondô and three-story pagoda
• Kôfuku-ji (Nara):
  • Three-storied pagoda
  • five-storied pagoda
  • Eastern Golden Hall
  • Northern Octagonal Hall
• Ujigami Shrine haiden (main worship hall) - early Kamakura period, example of shinden-zukuri architecture

Temple Bells

• Engaku-ji (Kamakura): temple bell
• Kanzeon-ji (Dazaifu, Fukuoka prefecture): temple bell - one of the oldest in the country
• Kenchô-ji (Kamakura): temple bell - cast 1255

Other

• Engaku-ji (Kamakura) - Buddhist relics

Destroyed Former National Treasures

(See also National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties in Okinawa)

• Engaku-ji - named a National Treasure in 1933; destroyed in 1945. Rebuilt gates and bridge named Important Cultural Property in 1975.
• Naminoue Shrine temple bell - cast 956, named National Treasure 1907; destroyed 1945.
• Shuri castle - named a National Treasure c. 1925; destroyed 1945.
• Sôgen-ji - named a National Treasure in 1933; destroyed 1945.