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![]() Īncient Temples and Shrines Preservation Law First of the scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans owned by Kōzan-ji Japanese architectural history began to appear on curricula, and the first books on architectural history were published, stimulated by the newly compiled inventories of buildings and art. The end of the 19th century was a period of political change in Japan as cultural values moved from the enthusiastic adoption of western ideas to a newly discovered interest in Japanese heritage. A survey conducted in association with Okakura Kakuzō and Ernest Fenollosa between 18 was designed to evaluate and catalogue 210,000 objects of artistic or historic merit. ![]() The five-storied pagoda of Daigo-ji, the kon-dō of Tōshōdai-ji, and the hon-dō of Kiyomizu-dera are examples of buildings that underwent repairs during this period. By 1894, 539 shrines and temples had received government funded subsidies to conduct repairs and reconstruction. In 1880, the government allotted funds for the preservation of ancient shrines and temples. However, these efforts proved to be ineffective in the face of radical westernisation. Based on recommendations from the universities, the decree ordered prefectures, temples, and shrines to compile lists of important buildings and art. In 1871, the Daijō-kan issued a decree to protect Japanese antiquities called the Plan for the Preservation of Ancient Artifacts ( 古器旧物保存方, koki kyūbutsu hozonkata). Temples decayed, and valuable objects were exported. As a result, Buddhist and Shinto institutions became impoverished. During the same period, Japanese cultural heritage was impacted by the rise of industrialization and westernization. Properties belonging to the feudal lords were expropriated, historic castles and residences were destroyed, and an estimated 18,000 temples were closed. In 1871, the government confiscated temple lands, considered symbolic of the ruling elite. During the ensuing haibutsu kishaku ("abolish Buddhism and destroy Shākyamuni") triggered by the official policy of separation of Shinto and Buddhism and anti-Buddhist movements propagating the return to Shinto, Buddhist buildings and artwork were destroyed. Feudal Japan ended abruptly in 1867–68 when the Tokugawa shogunate was replaced by the Meiji Restoration. Japanese cultural properties were originally in the ownership of Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and aristocratic or samurai families. History Background and early protection efforts Okakura Kakuzō Religious items are often housed in temples and Shinto shrines or in an adjacent museum or treasure house. ![]() Fine arts and crafts properties are generally owned privately or are in museums, including national museums such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara, public prefectural and city museums, and private museums. Kansai, the region of Japan's capitals from ancient times to the 19th century, has the most National Treasures Kyoto alone has about one in five National Treasures. ![]() These efforts are supplemented by laws that protect the built environment of designated structures and the necessary techniques for restoration of works. The Agency for Cultural Affairs provides owners with advice on restoration, administration, and public display of the properties. Methods of protecting designated National Treasures include restrictions on alterations, transfer, and export, as well as financial support in the form of grants and tax reduction. The regard for physical and intangible properties and their protection is typical of Japanese preservation and restoration practices. Japan has a comprehensive network of legislation for protecting, preserving, and classifying its cultural patrimony. The designation of the Akasaka Palace in 2009, the Tomioka Silk Mill in 2014 and of the Kaichi School added three modern, post- Meiji Restoration, National Treasures. The items span the period of ancient to early modern Japan before the Meiji period, including pieces of the world's oldest pottery from the Jōmon period and 19th-century documents and writings. The other 80% are paintings scrolls sutras works of calligraphy sculptures of wood, bronze, lacquer or stone crafts such as pottery and lacquerware carvings metalworks swords and textiles and archaeological and historical artifacts. Each National Treasure must show outstanding workmanship, a high value for world cultural history, or exceptional value for scholarship.Īpproximately 20% of the National Treasures are structures such as castles, Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, or residences. ![]() A Tangible Cultural Property is considered to be of historic or artistic value, classified either as "buildings and structures" or as "fine arts and crafts". A National Treasure ( 国 宝, kokuhō) is the most precious of Japan's Tangible Cultural Properties, as determined and designated by the Agency for Cultural Affairs (a special body of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology). ![]()
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