Changes

In 1950, the Japanese government created a new system of cultural heritage, dividing the category of [[National Treasures]] - the top tier of sites and objects designated as being of exceptional cultural and historical importance - into an upper tier of National Treasures and a lower tier of Important Cultural Properties.

In 1950, the Japanese government created a new system of cultural heritage, dividing the category of [[National Treasures]] - the top tier of sites and objects designated as being of exceptional cultural and historical importance - into an upper tier of National Treasures and a lower tier of Important Cultural Properties.

Important Cultural Properties are more numerous than National Treasures, and are generally considered to be of somewhat less considerable cultural or historical importance. There are currently approximately 12,760 objects & structures registered as Important Cultural Properties, identified by the Bunkachô (Agency for Cultural Affairs) logo, a stylized impression of a pair of hands holding up roof tiles.<ref>Hyung-il Pai, AAS Roundtable, "Who Moved My Masterpiece?...Cultural Heritage of Kyoto," Association for Asian Studies annual conference, San Diego, March 23 2013.</ref>

Important Cultural Properties are more numerous than National Treasures, and are generally considered to be of somewhat less considerable cultural or historical importance. There are currently approximately 12,821<ref>"[http://www.bunka.go.jp/bunkazai/pamphlet/pdf/pamphlet_en_03_ver04.pdf Cultural Properties for Future Generations]," Pamphlet, Agency of Cultural Affairs (2013), 2.</ref> objects & structures registered as Important Cultural Properties, identified by the Bunkachô (Agency for Cultural Affairs) logo, a stylized impression of a pair of hands holding up roof tiles.<ref>Hyung-il Pai, AAS Roundtable, "Who Moved My Masterpiece?...Cultural Heritage of Kyoto," Association for Asian Studies annual conference, San Diego, March 23 2013.</ref>

==Selected List of Important Cultural Properties==

==Selected List of Important Cultural Properties==