page_title: Cultural Property (Japan)
section_title: 1897 Ancient Temples and Shrines Preservation Law
hierarchical_section_title: Cultural Property (Japan) / History of the preservation of cultural properties / 1897 Ancient Temples and Shrines Preservation Law
caption_attribution_description: 本願寺「飛雲閣」(国宝) 三層杮葺の楼閣建築で何処から見ても左右非対称なのが面白い。 この日は池の水が抜かれていたのでちょっと残念でした。 (2005/11/26 Hongwanji Temple, Kyoto, JAPAN) /* UNESCO World Heritage */ Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) (1994) 世界遺産「古都京都の文化財」
context_page_description: A Cultural Property is administered by the Japanese government's Agency for Cultural Affairs, and includes tangible properties; intangible properties; folk properties both tangible and intangible; monuments historic, scenic and natural; cultural landscapes; and groups of traditional buildings. Buried properties and conservation techniques are also protected. Together these cultural properties are to be preserved and utilized as the heritage of the Japanese people.
  To protect Japan's cultural heritage, the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties contains a "designation system" under which selected important items are designated as Cultural Properties, which imposes restrictions on the alteration, repair, and export of such designated objects. Designation can occur at a national, prefectural or municipal level. As of 1 February 2012, there were approximately 16,000 nationally designated, 21,000 prefecturally designated, and 86,000 municipally designated properties. Besides the designation system there also exists a "registration system", which guarantees a lower level of protection and support.
context_section_description: On June 5, 1897, the government enacted the Ancient Temples and Shrines Preservation Law (古社寺保存法, koshaji hozonhō) (law number 49), which was the first systematic law for the preservation of Japanese historic art and architecture. This law was formulated under the guidance of the architectural historian and architect Itō Chūta and established in 20 articles a system of governmental financial support for the preservation of buildings and the restoration of artworks. It applied to  works of architecture and related art of historic uniqueness and exceptional quality (art. 2). Applications for financial support were to be made to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (art. 1), and the responsibility for restoration or preservation lay in the hand of local officials (art. 3). Restoration works were financed directly from the national coffers (art. 8).
  This first law was followed by a second law on December 15, 1897 giving supplementary provisions for designating works of art in the possession of temples or shrines as "National Treasure" (国宝, kokuhō); religious architecture could be designated as "Specially Protected Buildings" (特別保護建造物, tokubetsu hogo kenzōbutsu). The main criteria for designation were "artistic superiority" and "value as historical evidence and wealth of historical associations", but also age was considered in the designation. Designated artworks could be from any of the following categories: painting, sculpture, calligraphy, books and handicrafts; subsequently swords were added. However the law was limited to items held by religious institutions, leaving privately owned articles unprotected. Funds for the restoration of certain works of art and structures were raised from 20,000 yen to 150,000 yen and fines were set for the destruction of Cultural Properties. Owners had to register designated objects with newly created museums, which were granted first option in case of sale. Initially, 44 temple and shrine buildings and 155 relics were thus designated, including the kon-dō at Hōryū-ji.
  The laws of 1897 are the foundation for today's preservation law. At the time of their enactment only England, France, Greece and four other European nations had similar legislation in place. The restoration of Tōdai-ji's Daibutsuden from 1906 to 1913 was carried out under these laws. In 1914 the administration of cultural properties was transferred from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to the Ministry of Education (today's MEXT).
caption: The Hiunkaku at Nishi Hongan-ji in Kyoto
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