INI

Japanese Cultural Property Classification - INI

The Japanese Cultural Property Classification is a systematic categorization of cultural heritage established under the Act on Protection of Cultural Properties (enacted in 1950). It comprises six basic categories: Tangible Cultural Properties, Intangible Cultural Properties, Folk Cultural Properties, Monuments, Cultural Landscapes, and Groups of Traditional Buildings. Each category has designation, selection, and registration systems. Through systems such as National Treasures, Important Cultural Properties, and Living National Treasures (holders of Important Intangible Cultural Properties), Japan aims to protect and preserve cultural heritage of historical, artistic, and academic value.

cultural property cultural heritage National Treasure Important Cultural Property Living National Treasure Agency for Cultural Affairs preservation

[item.tangible-cultural-property]
code=01
slug=tangible-cultural-property
name=Tangible Cultural Properties
description=Tangible cultural products such as buildings, paintings, sculptures, and crafts.
category=Designated Cultural Properties
designations=["National Treasure","Important Cultural Property","Registered Tangible Cultural Property"]
subcategories=["Buildings","Art and Crafts"]

[item.intangible-cultural-property]
code=02
slug=intangible-cultural-property
name=Intangible Cultural Properties
description=Intangible cultural products such as theater, music, and craft techniques.
category=Designated Cultural Properties
designations=["Important Intangible Cultural Property","Registered Intangible Cultural Property"]
subcategories=["Performing Arts","Craft Techniques"]

[item.folk-cultural-property]
code=03
slug=folk-cultural-property
name=Folk Cultural Properties
description=Customs related to daily life and annual events, folk performing arts, and folk techniques.
category=Designated Cultural Properties
designations=["Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property","Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property","Registered Tangible Folk Cultural Property","Registered Intangible Folk Cultural Property"]
subcategories=["Tangible Folk Cultural Properties","Intangible Folk Cultural Properties"]

[item.monument]
code=04
slug=monument
name=Monuments
description=Monuments comprising three types: Historic Sites, Places of Scenic Beauty, and Natural Monuments.
category=Designated Cultural Properties
designations=["Special Historic Site","Special Place of Scenic Beauty","Special Natural Monument","Historic Site","Place of Scenic Beauty","Natural Monument","Registered Monument"]
subcategories=["Historic Sites","Places of Scenic Beauty","Natural Monuments"]

[item.cultural-landscape]
code=05
slug=cultural-landscape
name=Cultural Landscapes
description=Landscapes formed by peoples lives and livelihoods in harmony with the local climate.
category=Selected Cultural Properties
designations=["Important Cultural Landscape"]
subcategories=["Landscapes related to agriculture","Landscapes related to mining","Landscapes related to distribution","Landscapes related to residence"]

[item.traditional-building-groups]
code=06
slug=traditional-building-groups
name=Groups of Traditional Buildings
description=Groups of traditional buildings that form historic townscapes.
category=Selected Cultural Properties
designations=["Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings"]
subcategories=["Castle towns","Post towns","Temple towns","Port towns","Agricultural villages"]

[item.buried-cultural-property]
code=07
slug=buried-cultural-property
name=Buried Cultural Properties
description=Cultural properties buried in the ground.
category=Other Protected Items
designations=["Known buried cultural property sites"]
subcategories=["Archaeological sites","Artifacts","Archaeological features"]

[item.conservation-techniques]
code=08
slug=conservation-techniques
name=Selected Conservation Techniques
description=Traditional techniques necessary for preserving cultural properties.
category=Other Protected Items
designations=["Selected Conservation Technique"]
subcategories=["Building-related techniques","Art-related techniques"]