Glossary

A designation given to archaeological and historical remains such as shell mounds, tombs, palace and castle sites and former residences that hold high historical or academic value.

A landscape shaped by local livelihoods and climate, such as terraced fields or a fishing village, selected by the Minister at the request of a prefecture or municipality as particularly important.

Clothing, tools, dwellings and other everyday objects designated by the Minister as particularly important for understanding how the daily life of the Japanese people has changed.

An intangible folk tradition that the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs has selected for documentation. Selection secures a record of the practice but is not a designation and imposes no legal restrictions.

A designation given by the national government to tangible cultural property judged important, covering both architecture and fine arts, and counted so that the total includes National Treasures.

A national designation for customs, folk performing arts and folk techniques judged particularly important, made without certifying any individual holder of the tradition.

A townscape district selected by the national government from among preservation districts established by municipalities, protecting a whole quarter rather than individual buildings.

The quantity recorded for a designated or registered cultural property, written with a counter that varies by the kind of object and entered on the certificate of designation.

The highest tier of protection for tangible cultural property in Japan, given to items already designated as Important Cultural Properties that are judged to be of outstanding value in world culture.

A designation for animals, plants and geological features of high academic value, extending to habitats, native stands and protected natural areas as well as to individual specimens.

A designation for gardens, gorges, coastlines, mountains and other scenic places held to have high artistic or contemplative value, with gardens forming the largest group.

A historic site, place of scenic beauty or natural feature that is not designated but has been entered on the national register of cultural properties because it needs measures for preservation and use.

Tangible cultural property entered on the national register rather than designated, protected through a lighter regime of notification and advice that complements the stricter designation system.

The upper tier of the Historic Site designation, given to remains judged particularly important and carrying stronger obligations to restore damage.

An item designated together with a cultural property because of its close connection to it, recorded in the register with its own separate quantity.