Important Cultural Properties

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Sign at Kan'ei-ji in Tokyo, bearing the Bunkachô logo, and identifying the site as containing Important Cultural Properties.
  • System Established: 1950
  • Japanese: 重要文化財 (juuyou bunkazai)

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.[1]

Selected List of Important Cultural Properties

Ishikawa prefecture

Tokyo

Kanagawa Prefecture

A view of Sankeien in Yokohama, with the pagoda visible in the distance

Aichi Prefecture

The southeast corner tower at Nagoya castle
  • Nagoya castle - the three remaining corner towers, of an original eleven, are designated Important Cultural Properties

Shiga Prefecture

  • Hikone castle - various buildings, including Ninomaru Sawaguchitamon-yagura. Main tenshu is a National Treasure.

Nara Prefecture

Kyoto Prefecture

One of the main gates at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto, which is home to 53 Important Cultural Properties

Fukuoka Prefecture

The ichi-no-torii ("first gate") at Hakozaki Shrine in Fukuoka

Okinawa Prefecture

  • Engaku-ji - named a National Treasure in 1933; destroyed in 1945. Rebuilt gates and bridge named Important Cultural Property in 1975.
  • Sôgen-ji - designated a National Treasure in 1933; destroyed in 1945. Surviving stone walls & gates are today an Important Cultural Property.

References

  • Gallery labels and explanatory plaques at various sites.
  1. Hyung-il Pai, AAS Roundtable, "Who Moved My Masterpiece?...Cultural Heritage of Kyoto," Association for Asian Studies annual conference, San Diego, March 23 2013.