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| Expedition | Name | Country | Date of death | Place of death | Cause | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Cross Expedition | Nikolai Hansen | Norway | 14 October 1899 | Cape Adare, Antarctica | Intestinal disorder | [1] |
| Discovery Expedition | Charles Bonnor | UK | 2 December 1901 | Lyttelton Harbour, New Zealand | Fell from ship's mast | [2][3] |
| Discovery Expedition | George Vince | UK | 11 March 1903 | Ross Island, Antarctica | Slipped over ice precipice | [2][3] |
| Scottish National Antarctic Expedition | Allan Ramsey | UK | 6 August 1903 | South Orkney Islands | Heart disease | [4] |
| Terra Nova Expedition | Edgar Evans | UK | 18 February 1912 | Beardmore Glacier, Antarctica | Starvation and cold | [5][6] [7][8] [9] |
| Terra Nova Expedition | Lawrence Oates | UK | 17 March 1912 | Great Ice Barrier, Antarctica | Starvation and cold | [5][6][7][8][9] |
| Terra Nova Expedition | Robert Falcon Scott | UK | 29 March 1912 | Great Ice Barrier, Antarctica | Starvation and cold | [5][6][7][8][9] |
| Terra Nova Expedition | Edward Wilson | UK | 29 March 1912 | Great Ice Barrier, Antarctica | Starvation and cold | [5][6][7][8][9] |
| Terra Nova Expedition | Henry Bowers | UK | 29 March 1912 | Great Ice Barrier, Antarctica | Starvation and cold | [5][6][7][8][9] |
| Terra Nova Expedition | Robert Brissenden | UK | 17 August 1912 | Admiralty Bay, New Zealand | Drowning | [5][6][7][8][9] |
| Second German Antarctic Expedition | Richard Vahsel | Germany | 8 August 1912 | Weddell Sea | Syphilis | [10][11][12] |
| Australasian Antarctic Expedition | Belgrave Ninnis | UK | 14 December 1912 | King George V Land, Antarctica | Fell into crevasse | [13] |
| Australasian Antarctic Expedition | Xavier Mertz | Switzerland | 7 January 1913 | King George V Land, Antarctica | Hypervitaminosis_A | [13] |
| Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition (Ross Sea party) |
Arnold Spencer-Smith | UK | 9 March 1916 | Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica | Cold and scurvy | [14][15] |
| Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition (Ross Sea party) |
Aeneas Mackintosh | UK | 8 May 1916 | McMurdo Sound, Antarctica | Fell through sea ice | [14][15] |
| Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition (Ross Sea party) |
Victor Hayward | UK | 8 May 1916 | McMurdo Sound, Antarctica | Fell through sea ice | |
| Shackleton-Rowett Expedition | Ernest Shackleton | UK | 5 January 1922 | South Georgia | Heart disease | [16] |
- 43 !!!!!
- 44 !!!!!
- 45 (taschen) <- 62 (commons); 45 (commons) <- 46 (taschen)
- 46<-45; 46 <- 47
- 47<-46; 47<-49
- 48<-63; 48<-52
- 49<-47; 49<-53
- 50<-64; 50<-55
- 51<-65; 51<-56
- 52<-48; 52<-58
- 53<-49; 53<-59
- 54<-66; 54<-61
- 55<-50; 55<-62
- 56<-51; 56<-64
- 57<-67; 57<-65
- 58<-52; 58<-67
- 59<-53; 59<-68
- 60<-68; 60<-70
- 61<-54; 61<-71
- 62<-55; 62<-45
- 63<-69; 63<-48
- 64<-56; 64<-50
- 65<-57; 65<-51
- 66<-70; 66<-54
- 67<-58; 67<-57
- 68<-59; 68<-60
- 69<-71; 69<-63
- 70<-60; 70<-66
- 71<-61; 71<-69
- 72 !!!!!
| Mountain | Elevation | Mountain range | Note | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mt. Fuji | 3,776 m (12,388 ft) | Independent | tallest in Japan 100 Famous |
 |
| Mt. Kita | 3,193 m (10,476 ft) | Southern Alps | tallest in Akishi Mountains 100 Famous |
 |
The Agency for Cultural Affairs designates tangible cultural properties as National Treasures in thirteen categories based on type. The agency generally distinguishes between "buildings and structures" (建造物, kenzōbutsu), and "fine arts and crafts" (美術工芸品, bijutsu kōgeihin). Each main category is subdivided into subcategories.[17] For example, the 215 structural cultural properties are separated into six categories; and the 864 fine arts and crafts cultural properties are separated into seven categories.[18]
Castles
The category "castles" (城郭, jōkaku) has eight designated National Treasures located at four sites: Himeji Castle, Matsumoto Castle, Inuyama castle and Hikone Castle, and comprise sixteen structures such as donjon, watch towers and connecting galleries. Himeji Castle, which is the most visited castle in Japan and a World Heritage Site, has five National Treasures; the other castles each have one.[19] The designated structures present the apogee of Japanese castle construction, and date to the end of the Sengoku period, from the late 16th to the first half of the 17th century.[20] Built of wood and plaster on a stone foundation,[21] the castles were military fortifications, as well as political, cultural and economic centres, and residences for the daimyo, his family, and retainers.[22][23] The oldest structure in the category is a Bunroku era secondary donjon called the Northwest Small Tower, at Matsumoto Castle.[18]
Modern and historical residences
There are two categories for residential architecture: "modern residences" (住居, jūkyo) from the Meiji period onward; and "historical residences" (住宅, jūtaku), which date to before 1867, the early modern Japan and earlier. Presently, the only modern residential National Treasure is the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo built in 1909.[24] Fourteen National Treasures from 1485 to 1657 are listed in the historical residences category. Ten are located in Kyoto. The structures include teahouses, shoin, and guest or reception halls.[18][17]
Shrines
National Treasures in the category of "shrines" (神社, jinja) include main halls (honden), oratories (haiden), gates, offering halls (heiden), purification halls (haraedono) and other structures associated with Shinto shrines. Presently there are 37 National Treasures in this category, from the 12th century (late Heian period) to the 19th century (late Edo period). According to the tradition of Shikinen sengū-sai (式年遷宮祭), the buildings or shrines were faithfully rebuilt at regular intervals adhering to the original design. In this manner, ancient styles have been replicated through the centuries to the present day.[25][26][27] The oldest designated extant shrine structure is the main hall at Ujigami Shrine dating from the 12th century late Heian period. About half of the designated structures are located in three prefectures: Kyoto, Nara and Shiga in the Kansai region of Japan. Nikkō Tōshō-gū has five National Treasures.[18][17]
Temples
Structures associated with Buddhist temples such as main halls (butsuden, hon-dō and kon-dō), pagodas, belfries, corridors and other halls or structures are designated in the category "temples" (寺院, jiin). Presently 152 National Treasures have been designated in this category, including two of the oldest wooden structures in the world from the 6th century at Hōryū-ji and Tōdai-ji's Daibutsuden, the largest wooden building in the world.[28][29][30][31] The structures cover more than 1000 years of Japanese Buddhist architecture, from the 6th century (Asuka period) to the 19th century late Edo period. About three quarters of the designated properties are located in the Kansai region with 60 National Treasure temple structures in Nara prefecture and 29 in Kyoto prefecture. The temple Hōryū-ji has the largest number of designated National Treasure buildings with 18 structures.[18][17]
Miscellaneous structures
There are three "miscellaneous structures" (その他, sono hoka) that do not fall in any of the other categories. They are the North Noh stage in Kyoto's Nishi Hongan-ji, the auditorium of the former Shizutani School in Bizen and the Roman Catholic Ōura Church in Nagasaki. The North Noh stage, dating to 1581, is the oldest extant of its kind, consisting of a stage, a side stage for the chorus (脇座, wakiza), a place for musicians (後座, atoza) and a passageway to enter or exit the stage (橋掛, hashigakari).[32]
Built during the mid-Edo period in 1701, the Auditorium of the Shizutani school, an educational institute for commoners, is a single-storied building. It has a hip-and-gable (irimoya) style tile roof composed of flat broad concave tiles and semi-cylindrical convex tiles that cover the seams. The 19.4 m × 15.6 m (64 ft × 51 ft) structure is built of high quality woods such as zelkova, cedar and camphor.[33]
Ōura Church was established in 1864 by the French priest Bernard Petitjean of Fier to commemorate the 26 Christian martyrs, executed by crucifixion on February 5, 1597 at Nagasaki. The facade of the church faces Nishizaka hill, the place of their execution. It is a gothic structure and the oldest extant wooden church in Japan.[34][18][17]
Ancient documents
Valuable Japanese historical documents are designated in the category "ancient documents" (古文書, komonjo). There are 59 items or sets of items in this category, ranging from letters and diaries to records. One National Treasure is a linen map, and another is an inscription on stone.[35][36] However, all other objects in the category were created with a writing brush on paper, and in many cases present important examples of early calligraphy. The oldest item dates from the late 7th century and the most recent from 19th century late Edo period. Approximately half of the entries in the category are located in Kyoto.[18][37][36]
Archaeological materials
The category "archaeological materials" (考古資料, kōkoshiryō) includes some of the oldest cultural properties with 44 designated National Treasures. Many of the National Treasures in this category denote large sets of objects originally buried as part of graves or as offering for temple foundations, and subsequently excavated from tombs, kofun, sutra mounds, or other archaeological sites. The oldest items are flame-shaped pottery and dogū clay figurines from the Jōmon period that reflect early Japanese civilization.[38][39] Other items listed include bronze mirrors and bells, jewellery, ancient swords, and knives. The youngest object, a hexagonal stone column, dates to the Nanboku-chō period, 1361.[40] Most of the materials (26) are located in museums with six National Treasures in the Tokyo National Museum.[18]
Crafts
The category "crafts" (工芸品, kōgeihin) includes 252 National Treasures, of which 122 are in the subcategory of swords, and 130 are other craft items.[18]
- Swords
Swords are included in the crafts category, and either the sword itself or a sword mounting is designated as a National Treasure. Currently 110 swords and 12 sword mountings are National Treasures. The oldest designated properties date to the 7th century Asuka period.[41][42] However, 86 of the items are from the Kamakura period, with the most recent object from the Muromachi period.[43] The designated items are located in Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, museums or in private hand.[18]
- Non-swords
The crafts category includes pottery from Japan, China and Korea; metalworks such as mirrors and temple bells; Buddhist ritual items and others; lacquerware such as boxes, furniture, harnesses and portable shrines; textiles, armour and other objects. These items date from classical to early modern Japan—7th century Asuka period to 18th century Edo period[44] —and are housed in Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines or museums. Also included in this category are sacred treasures that worshippers presented to Asuka Shrine, Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū, Itsukushima Shrine, Kasuga-taisha and Kumano Hayatama Taisha. The treasures were dedicated to the enshrined deity of the respective shrine. They comprise garments, household and other items.[18][45][46][47][48]
Historical materials
Two National Treasure sets are catalogued in the category "historical materials" (歴史資料, rekishi shiryō). One set consists of 1251 items related to the Shō family, the kings of Ryūkyū, who ruled over most of the Ryukyu Islands between the 15th and 19th century. The designated items date to the second Shō Dynasty between the 16th and 19th century and are located in the Naha City Museum of History. Within this set are 1166 documents or records, such as construction plans or registers of funeral items; 85 are craft items such as articles of clothing and furniture.[18][49]
The second set comprises paintings, documents, ceremonial tools, harnesses and items of clothing that were brought back by Hasekura Tsunenaga from his 1613 to 1620 trade mission (Keichō Embassy) to Europe. Sent by Date Masamune, Lord of the Sendai Domain, Hasekura travelled via Mexico City and Madrid to Rome before returning to Japan. The designated set of items consists of 47 objects located in the Sendai City Museum: a Roman citizenship document dating from November 1615; a portrait of Pope Paul V; a portrait of Hasekura in prayer following his conversion in Madrid; 19 religious paintings; pictures of saints; ceremonial tools such as rosaries; a cross and medals; 25 items of harnesses and clothing such as priests' garments; an Indonesian kris; and a Ceylonese dagger.[18][50]
Paintings
Japanese and Chinese paintings from the 8th-century Classical Nara period to the early modern 19th-century Edo period are listed in the category "paintings" (絵画, kaiga). The 158 National Treasures in the category show Buddhist themes, landscapes, portraits and court scenes. Various base materials have been used: 90 are hanging scrolls; 38 are hand scrolls or emakimono; 20 are byōbu folding screens or paintings on sliding doors (fusuma); and three are albums. They are located in museums, Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, private collections, a university and one is located in a tomb (Takamatsuzuka Tomb). A large proportion of items are housed in the national museums of Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara. The greatest number of National Treasure paintings are located in Kyoto with 50, and Tokyo with 45, and more than half of the Tokyo paintings are located in the Tokyo National Museum.[18]
Sculptures
Sculptures of Buddhist and Shintō deities, or of priests venerated as founders of temples, are listed in the category "sculptures" (彫刻, chōkoku). There are 126 National Treasure sculptures or groups of sculptures from the 7th-century Asuka period to the 13th-century Kamakura period. Most (94) sculptures are wooden, eleven entries in the list are bronze, eleven are lacquer, seven are made of clay and one entry, the Usuki Stone Buddhas, consists of a group of stone sculptures. The statues vary in size from just 10 cm (3.9 in) to 13 m (43 ft) and 15 m (49 ft) for the Great Buddhas of Nara and Kamakura.[51][52] Seventy of the 126 entries are located in Nara prefecture while another 37 are in Kyoto prefecture. With few exceptions, the sculptures are located in Buddhist temples. Hōryū-ji and Kōfuku-ji are the locations with the most entries, at 17 each. The Ōkura Shūkokan Museum of Fine Arts in Tokyo, the Nara National Museum in Nara and the Yoshino Mikumari Shrine in Yoshino, Nara each have a single National Treasure in the sculpture category; one National Treasure that consists of four sculptures of Shinto gods is located at Kumano Hayatama Taisha; and the Usuki Stone Buddhas belong to Usuki city.[18][53][54][55][56][57][58]
Writings
Written materials of various type such as sūtra transcriptions, poetry, historical and specialist books are designated in the category "writings" (書跡・典籍, shoseki, tenseki). The 223 items or sets of items are National Treasures that date predominantly to classical Japan and the Imperial era of China from the 6th century to the Muromachi period. Most were made with a writing brush on paper and in many cases present important examples of calligraphy.[18]
The Agency for Cultural Affairs designates tangible cultural properties as National Treasures in thirteen categories based on type. The agency generally distinguishes between "buildings and structures" (建造物, kenzōbutsu), and "fine arts and crafts" (美術工芸品, bijutsu kōgeihin). Each main category is subdivided into subcategories.[17] For example, the 215 structural cultural properties are separated into six categories; and the 864 fine arts and crafts cultural properties are separated into seven categories.[18]
Castles
The category "castles" (城郭, jōkaku) has eight designated National Treasures located at four sites: Himeji Castle, Matsumoto Castle, Inuyama castle and Hikone Castle, and comprise sixteen structures such as donjon, watch towers and connecting galleries. Himeji Castle, which is the most visited castle in Japan and a World Heritage Site, has five National Treasures; the other castles each have one.[59] The designated structures present the apogee of Japanese castle construction, and date to the end of the Sengoku period, from the late 16th to the first half of the 17th century.[60] Built of wood and plaster on a stone foundation,[61] the castles were military fortifications, as well as political, cultural and economic centres, and residences for the daimyo, his family, and retainers.[22][23] The oldest structure in the category is a Bunroku era secondary donjon called the Northwest Small Tower, at Matsumoto Castle.[18]
Modern and historical residences
There are two categories for residential architecture: "modern residences" (住居, jūkyo) from the Meiji period onward; and "historical residences" (住宅, jūtaku), which date to before 1867, the early modern Japan and earlier. Presently, the only modern residential National Treasure is the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo built in 1909.[24] Fourteen National Treasures from 1485 to 1657 are listed in the historical residences category. Ten are located in Kyoto. The structures include teahouses, shoin, and guest or reception halls.[18][17]
Shrines
National Treasures in the category of "shrines" (神社, jinja) include main halls (honden), oratories (haiden), gates, offering halls (heiden), purification halls (haraedono) and other structures associated with Shinto shrines. Presently there are 37 National Treasures in this category, from the 12th century (late Heian period) to the 19th century (late Edo period). According to the tradition of Shikinen sengū-sai (式年遷宮祭), the buildings or shrines were faithfully rebuilt at regular intervals adhering to the original design. In this manner, ancient styles have been replicated through the centuries to the present day.[25][26][27] The oldest designated extant shrine structure is the main hall at Ujigami Shrine dating from the 12th century late Heian period. About half of the designated structures are located in three prefectures: Kyoto, Nara and Shiga in the Kansai region of Japan. Nikkō Tōshō-gū has five National Treasures.[18][17]
Temples
Structures associated with Buddhist temples such as main halls (butsuden, hon-dō and kon-dō), pagodas, belfries, corridors and other halls or structures are designated in the category "temples" (寺院, jiin). Presently 152 National Treasures have been designated in this category, including two of the oldest wooden structures in the world from the 6th century at Hōryū-ji and Tōdai-ji's Daibutsuden, the largest wooden building in the world.[62][63][64][65] The structures cover more than 1000 years of Japanese Buddhist architecture, from the 6th century (Asuka period) to the 19th century late Edo period. About three quarters of the designated properties are located in the Kansai region with 60 National Treasure temple structures in Nara prefecture and 29 in Kyoto prefecture. The temple Hōryū-ji has the largest number of designated National Treasure buildings with 18 structures.[18][17]
Miscellaneous structures
There are three "miscellaneous structures" (その他, sono hoka) that do not fall in any of the other categories. They are the North Noh stage in Kyoto's Nishi Hongan-ji, the auditorium of the former Shizutani School in Bizen and the Roman Catholic Ōura Church in Nagasaki. The North Noh stage, dating to 1581, is the oldest extant of its kind, consisting of a stage, a side stage for the chorus (脇座, wakiza), a place for musicians (後座, atoza) and a passageway to enter or exit the stage (橋掛, hashigakari).[66]
Built during the mid-Edo period in 1701, the Auditorium of the Shizutani school, an educational institute for commoners, is a single-storied building. It has a hip-and-gable (irimoya) style tile roof composed of flat broad concave tiles and semi-cylindrical convex tiles that cover the seams. The 19.4 m × 15.6 m (64 ft × 51 ft) structure is built of high quality woods such as zelkova, cedar and camphor.[67]
Ōura Church was established in 1864 by the French priest Bernard Petitjean of Fier to commemorate the 26 Christian martyrs, executed by crucifixion on February 5, 1597 at Nagasaki. The facade of the church faces Nishizaka hill, the place of their execution. It is a gothic structure and the oldest extant wooden church in Japan.[68][18][17]
Ancient documents
Valuable Japanese historical documents are designated in the category "ancient documents" (古文書, komonjo). There are 59 items or sets of items in this category, ranging from letters and diaries to records. One National Treasure is a linen map, and another is an inscription on stone.[69][36] However, all other objects in the category were created with a writing brush on paper, and in many cases present important examples of early calligraphy. The oldest item dates from the late 7th century and the most recent from 19th century late Edo period. Approximately half of the entries in the category are located in Kyoto.[18][70][36]
Archaeological materials
The category "archaeological materials" (考古資料, kōkoshiryō) includes some of the oldest cultural properties with 44 designated National Treasures. Many of the National Treasures in this category denote large sets of objects originally buried as part of graves or as offering for temple foundations, and subsequently excavated from tombs, kofun, sutra mounds, or other archaeological sites. The oldest items are flame-shaped pottery and dogū clay figurines from the Jōmon period that reflect early Japanese civilization.[38][39] Other items listed include bronze mirrors and bells, jewellery, ancient swords, and knives. The youngest object, a hexagonal stone column, dates to the Nanboku-chō period, 1361.[71] Most of the materials (26) are located in museums with six National Treasures in the Tokyo National Museum.[18]
Crafts
The category "crafts" (工芸品, kōgeihin) includes 252 National Treasures, of which 122 are in the subcategory of swords, and 130 are other craft items.[18]
- Swords
Swords are included in the crafts category, and either the sword itself or a sword mounting is designated as a National Treasure. Currently 110 swords and 12 sword mountings are National Treasures. The oldest designated properties date to the 7th century Asuka period.[72][73] However, 86 of the items are from the Kamakura period, with the most recent object from the Muromachi period.[74] The designated items are located in Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, museums or in private hand.[18]
- Non-swords
The crafts category includes pottery from Japan, China and Korea; metalworks such as mirrors and temple bells; Buddhist ritual items and others; lacquerware such as boxes, furniture, harnesses and portable shrines; textiles, armour and other objects. These items date from classical to early modern Japan—7th century Asuka period to 18th century Edo period[75] —and are housed in Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines or museums. Also included in this category are sacred treasures that worshippers presented to Asuka Shrine, Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū, Itsukushima Shrine, Kasuga-taisha and Kumano Hayatama Taisha. The treasures were dedicated to the enshrined deity of the respective shrine. They comprise garments, household and other items.[18][76][77][78][48]
Historical materials
Two National Treasure sets are catalogued in the category "historical materials" (歴史資料, rekishi shiryō). One set consists of 1251 items related to the Shō family, the kings of Ryūkyū, who ruled over most of the Ryukyu Islands between the 15th and 19th century. The designated items date to the second Shō Dynasty between the 16th and 19th century and are located in the Naha City Museum of History. Within this set are 1166 documents or records, such as construction plans or registers of funeral items; 85 are craft items such as articles of clothing and furniture.[18][79]
The second set comprises paintings, documents, ceremonial tools, harnesses and items of clothing that were brought back by Hasekura Tsunenaga from his 1613 to 1620 trade mission (Keichō Embassy) to Europe. Sent by Date Masamune, Lord of the Sendai Domain, Hasekura travelled via Mexico City and Madrid to Rome before returning to Japan. The designated set of items consists of 47 objects located in the Sendai City Museum: a Roman citizenship document dating from November 1615; a portrait of Pope Paul V; a portrait of Hasekura in prayer following his conversion in Madrid; 19 religious paintings; pictures of saints; ceremonial tools such as rosaries; a cross and medals; 25 items of harnesses and clothing such as priests' garments; an Indonesian kris; and a Ceylonese dagger.[18][80]
Paintings
Japanese and Chinese paintings from the 8th-century Classical Nara period to the early modern 19th-century Edo period are listed in the category "paintings" (絵画, kaiga). The 158 National Treasures in the category show Buddhist themes, landscapes, portraits and court scenes. Various base materials have been used: 90 are hanging scrolls; 38 are hand scrolls or emakimono; 20 are byōbu folding screens or paintings on sliding doors (fusuma); and three are albums. They are located in museums, Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, private collections, a university and one is located in a tomb (Takamatsuzuka Tomb). A large proportion of items are housed in the national museums of Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara. The greatest number of National Treasure paintings are located in Kyoto with 50, and Tokyo with 45, and more than half of the Tokyo paintings are located in the Tokyo National Museum.[18]
Sculptures
Sculptures of Buddhist and Shintō deities, or of priests venerated as founders of temples, are listed in the category "sculptures" (彫刻, chōkoku). There are 126 National Treasure sculptures or groups of sculptures from the 7th-century Asuka period to the 13th-century Kamakura period. Most (94) sculptures are wooden, eleven entries in the list are bronze, eleven are lacquer, seven are made of clay and one entry, the Usuki Stone Buddhas, consists of a group of stone sculptures. The statues vary in size from just 10 cm (3.9 in) to 13 m (43 ft) and 15 m (49 ft) for the Great Buddhas of Nara and Kamakura.[81][82] Seventy of the 126 entries are located in Nara prefecture while another 37 are in Kyoto prefecture. With few exceptions, the sculptures are located in Buddhist temples. Hōryū-ji and Kōfuku-ji are the locations with the most entries, at 17 each. The Ōkura Shūkokan Museum of Fine Arts in Tokyo, the Nara National Museum in Nara and the Yoshino Mikumari Shrine in Yoshino, Nara each have a single National Treasure in the sculpture category; one National Treasure that consists of four sculptures of Shinto gods is located at Kumano Hayatama Taisha; and the Usuki Stone Buddhas belong to Usuki city.[18][83][84][85][86][87][88]
Writings
Written materials of various type such as sūtra transcriptions, poetry, historical and specialist books are designated in the category "writings" (書跡・典籍, shoseki, tenseki). The 223 items or sets of items are National Treasures that date predominantly to classical Japan and the Imperial era of China from the 6th century to the Muromachi period. Most were made with a writing brush on paper and in many cases present important examples of calligraphy.[18]
The Agency for Cultural Affairs designates tangible cultural properties as National Treasures in thirteen categories based on type. The agency generally distinguishes between "buildings and structures" (建造物, kenzōbutsu), and "fine arts and crafts" (美術工芸品, bijutsu kōgeihin). Each main category is subdivided into subcategories.[17] For example, the 215 structural cultural properties are separated into six categories; and the 864 fine arts and crafts cultural properties are separated into seven categories.[18]
Castles
The category "castles" (城郭, jōkaku) has eight designated National Treasures located at four sites: Himeji Castle, Matsumoto Castle, Inuyama castle and Hikone Castle, and comprise sixteen structures such as donjon, watch towers and connecting galleries. Himeji Castle, which is the most visited castle in Japan and a World Heritage Site, has five National Treasures; the other castles each have one.[89] The designated structures present the apogee of Japanese castle construction, and date to the end of the Sengoku period, from the late 16th to the first half of the 17th century.[90] Built of wood and plaster on a stone foundation,[91] the castles were military fortifications, as well as political, cultural and economic centres, and residences for the daimyo, his family, and retainers.[22][23] The oldest structure in the category is a Bunroku era secondary donjon called the Northwest Small Tower, at Matsumoto Castle.[18]
Modern and historical residences
There are two categories for residential architecture: "modern residences" (住居, jūkyo) from the Meiji period onward; and "historical residences" (住宅, jūtaku), which date to before 1867, the early modern Japan and earlier. Presently, the only modern residential National Treasure is the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo built in 1909.[24] Fourteen National Treasures from 1485 to 1657 are listed in the historical residences category. Ten are located in Kyoto. The structures include teahouses, shoin, and guest or reception halls.[18][17]
Shrines
National Treasures in the category of "shrines" (神社, jinja) include main halls (honden), oratories (haiden), gates, offering halls (heiden), purification halls (haraedono) and other structures associated with Shinto shrines. Presently there are 37 National Treasures in this category, from the 12th century (late Heian period) to the 19th century (late Edo period). According to the tradition of Shikinen sengū-sai (式年遷宮祭), the buildings or shrines were faithfully rebuilt at regular intervals adhering to the original design. In this manner, ancient styles have been replicated through the centuries to the present day.[25][26][27] The oldest designated extant shrine structure is the main hall at Ujigami Shrine dating from the 12th century late Heian period. About half of the designated structures are located in three prefectures: Kyoto, Nara and Shiga in the Kansai region of Japan. Nikkō Tōshō-gū has five National Treasures.[18][17]
Temples
Structures associated with Buddhist temples such as main halls (butsuden, hon-dō and kon-dō), pagodas, belfries, corridors and other halls or structures are designated in the category "temples" (寺院, jiin). Presently 152 National Treasures have been designated in this category, including two of the oldest wooden structures in the world from the 6th century at Hōryū-ji and Tōdai-ji's Daibutsuden, the largest wooden building in the world.[92][93][94][95] The structures cover more than 1000 years of Japanese Buddhist architecture, from the 6th century (Asuka period) to the 19th century late Edo period. About three quarters of the designated properties are located in the Kansai region with 60 National Treasure temple structures in Nara prefecture and 29 in Kyoto prefecture. The temple Hōryū-ji has the largest number of designated National Treasure buildings with 18 structures.[18][17]
Miscellaneous structures
There are three "miscellaneous structures" (その他, sono hoka) that do not fall in any of the other categories. They are the North Noh stage in Kyoto's Nishi Hongan-ji, the auditorium of the former Shizutani School in Bizen and the Roman Catholic Ōura Church in Nagasaki. The North Noh stage, dating to 1581, is the oldest extant of its kind, consisting of a stage, a side stage for the chorus (脇座, wakiza), a place for musicians (後座, atoza) and a passageway to enter or exit the stage (橋掛, hashigakari).[96]
Built during the mid-Edo period in 1701, the Auditorium of the Shizutani school, an educational institute for commoners, is a single-storied building. It has a hip-and-gable (irimoya) style tile roof composed of flat broad concave tiles and semi-cylindrical convex tiles that cover the seams. The 19.4 m × 15.6 m (64 ft × 51 ft) structure is built of high quality woods such as zelkova, cedar and camphor.[97]
Ōura Church was established in 1864 by the French priest Bernard Petitjean of Fier to commemorate the 26 Christian martyrs, executed by crucifixion on February 5, 1597 at Nagasaki. The facade of the church faces Nishizaka hill, the place of their execution. It is a gothic structure and the oldest extant wooden church in Japan.[98][18][17]
Ancient documents
Valuable Japanese historical documents are designated in the category "ancient documents" (古文書, komonjo). There are 59 items or sets of items in this category, ranging from letters and diaries to records. One National Treasure is a linen map, and another is an inscription on stone.[99][36] However, all other objects in the category were created with a writing brush on paper, and in many cases present important examples of early calligraphy. The oldest item dates from the late 7th century and the most recent from 19th century late Edo period. Approximately half of the entries in the category are located in Kyoto.[18][100][36]
Archaeological materials
The category "archaeological materials" (考古資料, kōkoshiryō) includes some of the oldest cultural properties with 44 designated National Treasures. Many of the National Treasures in this category denote large sets of objects originally buried as part of graves or as offering for temple foundations, and subsequently excavated from tombs, kofun, sutra mounds, or other archaeological sites. The oldest items are flame-shaped pottery and dogū clay figurines from the Jōmon period that reflect early Japanese civilization.[38][39] Other items listed include bronze mirrors and bells, jewellery, ancient swords, and knives. The youngest object, a hexagonal stone column, dates to the Nanboku-chō period, 1361.[101] Most of the materials (26) are located in museums with six National Treasures in the Tokyo National Museum.[18]
Crafts
The category "crafts" (工芸品, kōgeihin) includes 252 National Treasures, of which 122 are in the subcategory of swords, and 130 are other craft items.[18]
- Swords
Swords are included in the crafts category, and either the sword itself or a sword mounting is designated as a National Treasure. Currently 110 swords and 12 sword mountings are National Treasures. The oldest designated properties date to the 7th century Asuka period.[102][103] However, 86 of the items are from the Kamakura period, with the most recent object from the Muromachi period.[104] The designated items are located in Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, museums or in private hand.[18]
- Non-swords
The crafts category includes pottery from Japan, China and Korea; metalworks such as mirrors and temple bells; Buddhist ritual items and others; lacquerware such as boxes, furniture, harnesses and portable shrines; textiles, armour and other objects. These items date from classical to early modern Japan—7th century Asuka period to 18th century Edo period[105] —and are housed in Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines or museums. Also included in this category are sacred treasures that worshippers presented to Asuka Shrine, Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū, Itsukushima Shrine, Kasuga-taisha and Kumano Hayatama Taisha. The treasures were dedicated to the enshrined deity of the respective shrine. They comprise garments, household and other items.[18][106][107][108][48]
Historical materials
Two National Treasure sets are catalogued in the category "historical materials" (歴史資料, rekishi shiryō). One set consists of 1251 items related to the Shō family, the kings of Ryūkyū, who ruled over most of the Ryukyu Islands between the 15th and 19th century. The designated items date to the second Shō Dynasty between the 16th and 19th century and are located in the Naha City Museum of History. Within this set are 1166 documents or records, such as construction plans or registers of funeral items; 85 are craft items such as articles of clothing and furniture.[18][109]
The second set comprises paintings, documents, ceremonial tools, harnesses and items of clothing that were brought back by Hasekura Tsunenaga from his 1613 to 1620 trade mission (Keichō Embassy) to Europe. Sent by Date Masamune, Lord of the Sendai Domain, Hasekura travelled via Mexico City and Madrid to Rome before returning to Japan. The designated set of items consists of 47 objects located in the Sendai City Museum: a Roman citizenship document dating from November 1615; a portrait of Pope Paul V; a portrait of Hasekura in prayer following his conversion in Madrid; 19 religious paintings; pictures of saints; ceremonial tools such as rosaries; a cross and medals; 25 items of harnesses and clothing such as priests' garments; an Indonesian kris; and a Ceylonese dagger.[18][110]
Paintings
Japanese and Chinese paintings from the 8th-century Classical Nara period to the early modern 19th-century Edo period are listed in the category "paintings" (絵画, kaiga). The 158 National Treasures in the category show Buddhist themes, landscapes, portraits and court scenes. Various base materials have been used: 90 are hanging scrolls; 38 are hand scrolls or emakimono; 20 are byōbu folding screens or paintings on sliding doors (fusuma); and three are albums. They are located in museums, Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, private collections, a university and one is located in a tomb (Takamatsuzuka Tomb). A large proportion of items are housed in the national museums of Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara. The greatest number of National Treasure paintings are located in Kyoto with 50, and Tokyo with 45, and more than half of the Tokyo paintings are located in the Tokyo National Museum.[18]
Sculptures
Sculptures of Buddhist and Shintō deities, or of priests venerated as founders of temples, are listed in the category "sculptures" (彫刻, chōkoku). There are 126 National Treasure sculptures or groups of sculptures from the 7th-century Asuka period to the 13th-century Kamakura period. Most (94) sculptures are wooden, eleven entries in the list are bronze, eleven are lacquer, seven are made of clay and one entry, the Usuki Stone Buddhas, consists of a group of stone sculptures. The statues vary in size from just 10 cm (3.9 in) to 13 m (43 ft) and 15 m (49 ft) for the Great Buddhas of Nara and Kamakura.[111][112] Seventy of the 126 entries are located in Nara prefecture while another 37 are in Kyoto prefecture. With few exceptions, the sculptures are located in Buddhist temples. Hōryū-ji and Kōfuku-ji are the locations with the most entries, at 17 each. The Ōkura Shūkokan Museum of Fine Arts in Tokyo, the Nara National Museum in Nara and the Yoshino Mikumari Shrine in Yoshino, Nara each have a single National Treasure in the sculpture category; one National Treasure that consists of four sculptures of Shinto gods is located at Kumano Hayatama Taisha; and the Usuki Stone Buddhas belong to Usuki city.[18][113][114][115][116][117][118]
Writings
Written materials of various type such as sūtra transcriptions, poetry, historical and specialist books are designated in the category "writings" (書跡・典籍, shoseki, tenseki). The 223 items or sets of items are National Treasures that date predominantly to classical Japan and the Imperial era of China from the 6th century to the Muromachi period. Most were made with a writing brush on paper and in many cases present important examples of calligraphy.[18]
The Agency for Cultural Affairs designates tangible cultural properties as National Treasures in thirteen categories based on type. The agency generally distinguishes between "buildings and structures" (建造物, kenzōbutsu), and "fine arts and crafts" (美術工芸品, bijutsu kōgeihin). Each main category is subdivided into subcategories.[17] For example, the 215 structural cultural properties are separated into six categories; and the 864 fine arts and crafts cultural properties are separated into seven categories.[18]
- Castles
The category "castles" (城郭, jōkaku) has eight designated National Treasures located at four sites: Himeji Castle, Matsumoto Castle, Inuyama castle and Hikone Castle, and comprise sixteen structures such as donjon, watch towers and connecting galleries. Himeji Castle, which is the most visited castle in Japan and a World Heritage Site, has five National Treasures; the other castles each have one.[119] The designated structures present the apogee of Japanese castle construction, and date to the end of the Sengoku period, from the late 16th to the first half of the 17th century.[120] Built of wood and plaster on a stone foundation,[121] the castles were military fortifications, as well as political, cultural and economic centres, and residences for the daimyo, his family, and retainers.[22][23] The oldest structure in the category is a Bunroku era secondary donjon called the Northwest Small Tower, at Matsumoto Castle.[18]
- Modern and historical residences
There are two categories for residential architecture: "modern residences" (住居, jūkyo) from the Meiji period onward; and "historical residences" (住宅, jūtaku), which date to before 1867, the early modern Japan and earlier. Presently, the only modern residential National Treasure is the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo built in 1909.[24] Fourteen National Treasures from 1485 to 1657 are listed in the historical residences category. Ten are located in Kyoto. The structures include teahouses, shoin, and guest or reception halls.[18][17]
- Shrines
National Treasures in the category of "shrines" (神社, jinja) include main halls (honden), oratories (haiden), gates, offering halls (heiden), purification halls (haraedono) and other structures associated with Shinto shrines. Presently there are 37 National Treasures in this category, from the 12th century (late Heian period) to the 19th century (late Edo period). According to the tradition of Shikinen sengū-sai (式年遷宮祭), the buildings or shrines were faithfully rebuilt at regular intervals adhering to the original design. In this manner, ancient styles have been replicated through the centuries to the present day.[25][26][27] The oldest designated extant shrine structure is the main hall at Ujigami Shrine dating from the 12th century late Heian period. About half of the designated structures are located in three prefectures: Kyoto, Nara and Shiga in the Kansai region of Japan. Nikkō Tōshō-gū has five National Treasures.[18][17]
- Temples
Structures associated with Buddhist temples such as main halls (butsuden, hon-dō and kon-dō), pagodas, belfries, corridors and other halls or structures are designated in the category "temples" (寺院, jiin). Presently 152 National Treasures have been designated in this category, including two of the oldest wooden structures in the world from the 6th century at Hōryū-ji and Tōdai-ji's Daibutsuden, the largest wooden building in the world.[122][123][124][125] The structures cover more than 1000 years of Japanese Buddhist architecture, from the 6th century (Asuka period) to the 19th century late Edo period. About three quarters of the designated properties are located in the Kansai region with 60 National Treasure temple structures in Nara prefecture and 29 in Kyoto prefecture. The temple Hōryū-ji has the largest number of designated National Treasure buildings with 18 structures.[18][17]
- Miscellaneous structures
There are three "miscellaneous structures" (その他, sono hoka) that do not fall in any of the other categories. They are the North Noh stage in Kyoto's Nishi Hongan-ji, the auditorium of the former Shizutani School in Bizen and the Roman Catholic Ōura Church in Nagasaki. The North Noh stage, dating to 1581, is the oldest extant of its kind, consisting of a stage, a side stage for the chorus (脇座, wakiza), a place for musicians (後座, atoza) and a passageway to enter or exit the stage (橋掛, hashigakari).[126]
Built during the mid-Edo period in 1701, the Auditorium of the Shizutani school, an educational institute for commoners, is a single-storied building. It has a hip-and-gable (irimoya) style tile roof composed of flat broad concave tiles and semi-cylindrical convex tiles that cover the seams. The 19.4 m × 15.6 m (64 ft × 51 ft) structure is built of high quality woods such as zelkova, cedar and camphor.[127]
Ōura Church was established in 1864 by the French priest Bernard Petitjean of Fier to commemorate the 26 Christian martyrs, executed by crucifixion on February 5, 1597 at Nagasaki. The facade of the church faces Nishizaka hill, the place of their execution. It is a gothic structure and the oldest extant wooden church in Japan.[128][18][17]
- Ancient documents
Valuable Japanese historical documents are designated in the category "ancient documents" (古文書, komonjo). There are 59 items or sets of items in this category, ranging from letters and diaries to records. One National Treasure is a linen map, and another is an inscription on stone.[129][36] However, all other objects in the category were created with a writing brush on paper, and in many cases present important examples of early calligraphy. The oldest item dates from the late 7th century and the most recent from 19th century late Edo period. Approximately half of the entries in the category are located in Kyoto.[18][130][36]
- Archaeological materials
The category "archaeological materials" (考古資料, kōkoshiryō) includes some of the oldest cultural properties with 44 designated National Treasures. Many of the National Treasures in this category denote large sets of objects originally buried as part of graves or as offering for temple foundations, and subsequently excavated from tombs, kofun, sutra mounds, or other archaeological sites. The oldest items are flame-shaped pottery and dogū clay figurines from the Jōmon period that reflect early Japanese civilization.[38][39] Other items listed include bronze mirrors and bells, jewellery, ancient swords, and knives. The youngest object, a hexagonal stone column, dates to the Nanboku-chō period, 1361.[131] Most of the materials (26) are located in museums with six National Treasures in the Tokyo National Museum.[18]
- Crafts
The category "crafts" (工芸品, kōgeihin) includes 252 National Treasures, of which 122 are in the subcategory of swords, and 130 are other craft items.[18]
- Swords
Swords are included in the crafts category, and either the sword itself or a sword mounting is designated as a National Treasure. Currently 110 swords and 12 sword mountings are National Treasures. The oldest designated properties date to the 7th century Asuka period.[132][133] However, 86 of the items are from the Kamakura period, with the most recent object from the Muromachi period.[134] The designated items are located in Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, museums or in private hand.[18]
- Non-swords
The crafts category includes pottery from Japan, China and Korea; metalworks such as mirrors and temple bells; Buddhist ritual items and others; lacquerware such as boxes, furniture, harnesses and portable shrines; textiles, armour and other objects. These items date from classical to early modern Japan—7th century Asuka period to 18th century Edo period[135] —and are housed in Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines or museums. Also included in this category are sacred treasures that worshippers presented to Asuka Shrine, Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū, Itsukushima Shrine, Kasuga-taisha and Kumano Hayatama Taisha. The treasures were dedicated to the enshrined deity of the respective shrine. They comprise garments, household and other items.[18][136][137][138][48]
- Historical materials
Two National Treasure sets are catalogued in the category "historical materials" (歴史資料, rekishi shiryō). One set consists of 1251 items related to the Shō family, the kings of Ryūkyū, who ruled over most of the Ryukyu Islands between the 15th and 19th century. The designated items date to the second Shō Dynasty between the 16th and 19th century and are located in the Naha City Museum of History. Within this set are 1166 documents or records, such as construction plans or registers of funeral items; 85 are craft items such as articles of clothing and furniture.[18][139]
The second set comprises paintings, documents, ceremonial tools, harnesses and items of clothing that were brought back by Hasekura Tsunenaga from his 1613 to 1620 trade mission (Keichō Embassy) to Europe. Sent by Date Masamune, Lord of the Sendai Domain, Hasekura travelled via Mexico City and Madrid to Rome before returning to Japan. The designated set of items consists of 47 objects located in the Sendai City Museum: a Roman citizenship document dating from November 1615; a portrait of Pope Paul V; a portrait of Hasekura in prayer following his conversion in Madrid; 19 religious paintings; pictures of saints; ceremonial tools such as rosaries; a cross and medals; 25 items of harnesses and clothing such as priests' garments; an Indonesian kris; and a Ceylonese dagger.[18][140]
- Paintings
Japanese and Chinese paintings from the 8th-century Classical Nara period to the early modern 19th-century Edo period are listed in the category "paintings" (絵画, kaiga). The 158 National Treasures in the category show Buddhist themes, landscapes, portraits and court scenes. Various base materials have been used: 90 are hanging scrolls; 38 are hand scrolls or emakimono; 20 are byōbu folding screens or paintings on sliding doors (fusuma); and three are albums. They are located in museums, Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, private collections, a university and one is located in a tomb (Takamatsuzuka Tomb). A large proportion of items are housed in the national museums of Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara. The greatest number of National Treasure paintings are located in Kyoto with 50, and Tokyo with 45, and more than half of the Tokyo paintings are located in the Tokyo National Museum.[18]
- Sculptures
Sculptures of Buddhist and Shintō deities, or of priests venerated as founders of temples, are listed in the category "sculptures" (彫刻, chōkoku). There are 126 National Treasure sculptures or groups of sculptures from the 7th-century Asuka period to the 13th-century Kamakura period. Most (94) sculptures are wooden, eleven entries in the list are bronze, eleven are lacquer, seven are made of clay and one entry, the Usuki Stone Buddhas, consists of a group of stone sculptures. The statues vary in size from just 10 cm (3.9 in) to 13 m (43 ft) and 15 m (49 ft) for the Great Buddhas of Nara and Kamakura.[141][142] Seventy of the 126 entries are located in Nara prefecture while another 37 are in Kyoto prefecture. With few exceptions, the sculptures are located in Buddhist temples. Hōryū-ji and Kōfuku-ji are the locations with the most entries, at 17 each. The Ōkura Shūkokan Museum of Fine Arts in Tokyo, the Nara National Museum in Nara and the Yoshino Mikumari Shrine in Yoshino, Nara each have a single National Treasure in the sculpture category; one National Treasure that consists of four sculptures of Shinto gods is located at Kumano Hayatama Taisha; and the Usuki Stone Buddhas belong to Usuki city.[18][143][144][145][146][147][148]
- Writings
Written materials of various type such as sūtra transcriptions, poetry, historical and specialist books are designated in the category "writings" (書跡・典籍, shoseki, tenseki). The 223 items or sets of items are National Treasures that date predominantly to classical Japan and the Imperial era of China from the 6th century to the Muromachi period. Most were made with a writing brush on paper and in many cases present important examples of calligraphy.[18]
The Agency for Cultural Affairs designates tangible cultural properties as National Treasures in thirteen categories based on type. The agency generally distinguishes between "buildings and structures" (建造物, kenzōbutsu), and "fine arts and crafts" (美術工芸品, bijutsu kōgeihin). Each main category is subdivided into subcategories.[17] For example, the 215 structural cultural properties are separated into six categories; and the 864 fine arts and crafts cultural properties are separated into seven categories.[18]
Castles
The category "castles" (城郭, jōkaku) has eight designated National Treasures located at four sites: Himeji Castle, Matsumoto Castle, Inuyama castle and Hikone Castle, and comprise sixteen structures such as donjon, watch towers and connecting galleries. Himeji Castle, which is the most visited castle in Japan and a World Heritage Site, has five National Treasures; the other castles each have one.[149] The designated structures present the apogee of Japanese castle construction, and date to the end of the Sengoku period, from the late 16th to the first half of the 17th century.[150] Built of wood and plaster on a stone foundation,[151] the castles were military fortifications, as well as political, cultural and economic centres, and residences for the daimyo, his family, and retainers.[22][23] The oldest structure in the category is a Bunroku era secondary donjon called the Northwest Small Tower, at Matsumoto Castle.[18]
Modern and historical residences
There are two categories for residential architecture: "modern residences" (住居, jūkyo) from the Meiji period onward; and "historical residences" (住宅, jūtaku), which date to before 1867, the early modern Japan and earlier. Presently, the only modern residential National Treasure is the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo built in 1909.[24] Fourteen National Treasures from 1485 to 1657 are listed in the historical residences category. Ten are located in Kyoto. The structures include teahouses, shoin, and guest or reception halls.[18][17]
Shrines
National Treasures in the category of "shrines" (神社, jinja) include main halls (honden), oratories (haiden), gates, offering halls (heiden), purification halls (haraedono) and other structures associated with Shinto shrines. Presently there are 37 National Treasures in this category, from the 12th century (late Heian period) to the 19th century (late Edo period). According to the tradition of Shikinen sengū-sai (式年遷宮祭), the buildings or shrines were faithfully rebuilt at regular intervals adhering to the original design. In this manner, ancient styles have been replicated through the centuries to the present day.[25][26][27] The oldest designated extant shrine structure is the main hall at Ujigami Shrine dating from the 12th century late Heian period. About half of the designated structures are located in three prefectures: Kyoto, Nara and Shiga in the Kansai region of Japan. Nikkō Tōshō-gū has five National Treasures.[18][17]
Temples
Structures associated with Buddhist temples such as main halls (butsuden, hon-dō and kon-dō), pagodas, belfries, corridors and other halls or structures are designated in the category "temples" (寺院, jiin). Presently 152 National Treasures have been designated in this category, including two of the oldest wooden structures in the world from the 6th century at Hōryū-ji and Tōdai-ji's Daibutsuden, the largest wooden building in the world.[152][153][154][155] The structures cover more than 1000 years of Japanese Buddhist architecture, from the 6th century (Asuka period) to the 19th century late Edo period. About three quarters of the designated properties are located in the Kansai region with 60 National Treasure temple structures in Nara prefecture and 29 in Kyoto prefecture. The temple Hōryū-ji has the largest number of designated National Treasure buildings with 18 structures.[18][17]
Miscellaneous structures
There are three "miscellaneous structures" (その他, sono hoka) that do not fall in any of the other categories. They are the North Noh stage in Kyoto's Nishi Hongan-ji, the auditorium of the former Shizutani School in Bizen and the Roman Catholic Ōura Church in Nagasaki. The North Noh stage, dating to 1581, is the oldest extant of its kind, consisting of a stage, a side stage for the chorus (脇座, wakiza), a place for musicians (後座, atoza) and a passageway to enter or exit the stage (橋掛, hashigakari).[156]
Built during the mid-Edo period in 1701, the Auditorium of the Shizutani school, an educational institute for commoners, is a single-storied building. It has a hip-and-gable (irimoya) style tile roof composed of flat broad concave tiles and semi-cylindrical convex tiles that cover the seams. The 19.4 m × 15.6 m (64 ft × 51 ft) structure is built of high quality woods such as zelkova, cedar and camphor.[157]
Ōura Church was established in 1864 by the French priest Bernard Petitjean of Fier to commemorate the 26 Christian martyrs, executed by crucifixion on February 5, 1597 at Nagasaki. The facade of the church faces Nishizaka hill, the place of their execution. It is a gothic structure and the oldest extant wooden church in Japan.[158][18][17]
Ancient documents
Valuable Japanese historical documents are designated in the category "ancient documents" (古文書, komonjo). There are 59 items or sets of items in this category, ranging from letters and diaries to records. One National Treasure is a linen map, and another is an inscription on stone.[159][36] However, all other objects in the category were created with a writing brush on paper, and in many cases present important examples of early calligraphy. The oldest item dates from the late 7th century and the most recent from 19th century late Edo period. Approximately half of the entries in the category are located in Kyoto.[18][160][36]
Archaeological materials
The category "archaeological materials" (考古資料, kōkoshiryō) includes some of the oldest cultural properties with 44 designated National Treasures. Many of the National Treasures in this category denote large sets of objects originally buried as part of graves or as offering for temple foundations, and subsequently excavated from tombs, kofun, sutra mounds, or other archaeological sites. The oldest items are flame-shaped pottery and dogū clay figurines from the Jōmon period that reflect early Japanese civilization.[38][39] Other items listed include bronze mirrors and bells, jewellery, ancient swords, and knives. The youngest object, a hexagonal stone column, dates to the Nanboku-chō period, 1361.[161] Most of the materials (26) are located in museums with six National Treasures in the Tokyo National Museum.[18]
Crafts
The category "crafts" (工芸品, kōgeihin) includes 252 National Treasures, of which 122 are in the subcategory of swords, and 130 are other craft items.[18]
- Swords
Swords are included in the crafts category, and either the sword itself or a sword mounting is designated as a National Treasure. Currently 110 swords and 12 sword mountings are National Treasures. The oldest designated properties date to the 7th century Asuka period.[162][163] However, 86 of the items are from the Kamakura period, with the most recent object from the Muromachi period.[164] The designated items are located in Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, museums or in private hand.[18]
- Non-swords
The crafts category includes pottery from Japan, China and Korea; metalworks such as mirrors and temple bells; Buddhist ritual items and others; lacquerware such as boxes, furniture, harnesses and portable shrines; textiles, armour and other objects. These items date from classical to early modern Japan—7th century Asuka period to 18th century Edo period[165] —and are housed in Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines or museums. Also included in this category are sacred treasures that worshippers presented to Asuka Shrine, Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū, Itsukushima Shrine, Kasuga-taisha and Kumano Hayatama Taisha. The treasures were dedicated to the enshrined deity of the respective shrine. They comprise garments, household and other items.[18][166][167][168][48]
Historical materials
Two National Treasure sets are catalogued in the category "historical materials" (歴史資料, rekishi shiryō). One set consists of 1251 items related to the Shō family, the kings of Ryūkyū, who ruled over most of the Ryukyu Islands between the 15th and 19th century. The designated items date to the second Shō Dynasty between the 16th and 19th century and are located in the Naha City Museum of History. Within this set are 1166 documents or records, such as construction plans or registers of funeral items; 85 are craft items such as articles of clothing and furniture.[18][169]
The second set comprises paintings, documents, ceremonial tools, harnesses and items of clothing that were brought back by Hasekura Tsunenaga from his 1613 to 1620 trade mission (Keichō Embassy) to Europe. Sent by Date Masamune, Lord of the Sendai Domain, Hasekura travelled via Mexico City and Madrid to Rome before returning to Japan. The designated set of items consists of 47 objects located in the Sendai City Museum: a Roman citizenship document dating from November 1615; a portrait of Pope Paul V; a portrait of Hasekura in prayer following his conversion in Madrid; 19 religious paintings; pictures of saints; ceremonial tools such as rosaries; a cross and medals; 25 items of harnesses and clothing such as priests' garments; an Indonesian kris; and a Ceylonese dagger.[18][170]
Paintings
Japanese and Chinese paintings from the 8th-century Classical Nara period to the early modern 19th-century Edo period are listed in the category "paintings" (絵画, kaiga). The 158 National Treasures in the category show Buddhist themes, landscapes, portraits and court scenes. Various base materials have been used: 90 are hanging scrolls; 38 are hand scrolls or emakimono; 20 are byōbu folding screens or paintings on sliding doors (fusuma); and three are albums. They are located in museums, Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, private collections, a university and one is located in a tomb (Takamatsuzuka Tomb). A large proportion of items are housed in the national museums of Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara. The greatest number of National Treasure paintings are located in Kyoto with 50, and Tokyo with 45, and more than half of the Tokyo paintings are located in the Tokyo National Museum.[18]
Sculptures
Sculptures of Buddhist and Shintō deities, or of priests venerated as founders of temples, are listed in the category "sculptures" (彫刻, chōkoku). There are 126 National Treasure sculptures or groups of sculptures from the 7th-century Asuka period to the 13th-century Kamakura period. Most (94) sculptures are wooden, eleven entries in the list are bronze, eleven are lacquer, seven are made of clay and one entry, the Usuki Stone Buddhas, consists of a group of stone sculptures. The statues vary in size from just 10 cm (3.9 in) to 13 m (43 ft) and 15 m (49 ft) for the Great Buddhas of Nara and Kamakura.[171][172] Seventy of the 126 entries are located in Nara prefecture while another 37 are in Kyoto prefecture. With few exceptions, the sculptures are located in Buddhist temples. Hōryū-ji and Kōfuku-ji are the locations with the most entries, at 17 each. The Ōkura Shūkokan Museum of Fine Arts in Tokyo, the Nara National Museum in Nara and the Yoshino Mikumari Shrine in Yoshino, Nara each have a single National Treasure in the sculpture category; one National Treasure that consists of four sculptures of Shinto gods is located at Kumano Hayatama Taisha; and the Usuki Stone Buddhas belong to Usuki city.[18][173][174][175][176][177][178]
Writings
Written materials of various type such as sūtra transcriptions, poetry, historical and specialist books are designated in the category "writings" (書跡・典籍, shoseki, tenseki). The 223 items or sets of items are National Treasures that date predominantly to classical Japan and the Imperial era of China from the 6th century to the Muromachi period. Most were made with a writing brush on paper and in many cases present important examples of calligraphy.[18]
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