Conservation Techniques for Cultural Properties

In 1975 the Japanese government added a new chapter to the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties (1950) to provide for "traditional techniques or craftsmanship that are indispensable to the preservation of cultural property and for which preservation measures shall be taken". Preservation techniques are selected in relation to both tangible and intangible cultural properties and a holder or preservation body is recognized for each technique.{{cite web |url=http://www.unesco.org/culture/natlaws/media/pdf/japan/japan_law_protectionproperty_entno.pdf |title=Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties (1950, last amendment 2007) |publisher=UNESCO |accessdate=2 May 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.bunka.go.jp/english/pdf/h21_chapter_06.pdf |title=Preservation and Utilization of Cultural Properties |publisher=Agency for Cultural Affairs |page=41 |accessdate=2 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523235255/http://www.bunka.go.jp/english/pdf/h21_chapter_06.pdf |archive-date=23 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}{{cite book |title=Architectural Preservation in Japan |author=Larsen, Knut Einar |publisher=ICOMOS International Wood Committee |year=1994 |pages=40f |ISBN=82-519-1432-9}}

In support of the {{nihongo|Selected Conservation Techniques|選定保存技術}}, the government provides funding for and conducts programmes relating to documentation, training, development, promotion and public education. Recognition is thus made and measures taken to combat some of the most serious conservation issues, namely the lack of specialist craftsmen, the loss of knowledge of traditional techniques, and the availability of suitable tools and materials. These issues are of particular relevance in Japan due to the sophistication and inherent susceptibility of much of its art and architecture.

The list below is compiled from the database of cultural properties maintained by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, with translations, glosses and listed holders (as of 2004) following those published by the Asia/Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU).{{cite web |url=http://www.bunka.go.jp/bsys/index_pc.asp |title=Database of Cultural Properties |publisher=Agency for Cultural Affairs |accessdate=16 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222235539/http://www.bunka.go.jp/bsys/index_pc.asp |archive-date=22 February 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.accu.or.jp/ich/en/pdf/2004_Tokyo.pdf |title=2004 Workshop on Inventory-making for Intangible Cultural Heritage Management |publisher=Asia/Pacific Centre for UNESCO (ACCU) |pages=200–203 |accessdate=16 February 2012}}