Conservation Techniques for Cultural Properties


In 1975 the Japanese government added a new chapter to the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties 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.
In support of the Selected Conservation Techniques, 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 following those published by the Asia/Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO.

Selected Conservation Techniques

Tangible Cultural Properties

43 techniques
NameRemarksHolderYearPicture
Production of roofing tilesOnigawaraIndividual 1988
Kiku-jutsu techniques for marking when constructing wooden building lit. "measuring with a carpenter's square"Individual 1993
Kiku-jutsu techniques for marking when constructing wooden building In particular for projecting eaves; developed since the twelfth centuryIndividual 1991
Smithery of metal fittingsIndividual 2002
Manufacture of kinkarakamiGold-embossed wallpaper, used in western-style buildings of the Meiji to Shōwa periods; cf. kinkarakawa or 'leather wallpaper'Individual2005
Making of traditional fittings such as ShōjiIncludes shōji, fusuma, Individual 1999
Production of
Restoration of
Plastering 2001
PlasteringGlue, brine, clay, and thread are mixed into the limeIndividual 1998
Restoration of
Crafting and restoration of metal fittings of Jōdai ornamentsIncludes mikoshi, zushiIndividual 1977
Manufacture of tatamiIndividual1929
Stone tile roofingIndividual2005
Production of Nail Individual 1998
Casting productionIndividual 1999
Production of karakami paperIndividual 1999
Manufacture of kiribakoIndividual 1980
Manufacture of ancient textiles for mountingFor kakemono etc.Individual2007
Manufacture of brushes for mountingIndividual1958
Production of Udagami handmade paper for mounting on sliding doorswashiIndividual 1978
Production of Misugami handmade paper for mountingwashiIndividual2009
Production of Hoshū handmade paper for mountingwashiIndividual2007
Production of brushes for mountingIndividual 1998
Joinery for mountingIndividual1995
Dyeing with true
Woodwork restorationIndividual 1997
Gathering
Crafting of decorative metal fittingsIndividual1998
Roofing with roofing tilesJoint 1994
Roofing with
Woodwork for buildingJoint 1976
Roof-thatching using
Buildings colourationGroup 1976
Building decorationGroup2007
Plastering 1995
Ukiyo-e woodblock art techniquesGroup1978
Conservation techniques for
Conservation techniques for
Restoration of

Intangible Cultural Properties

31 techniques
NameRemarksHolderYearPicture
Hair styling for kabuki theatreIndividual 2003
Crafting and restoration of wind instruments for gagaku musicIndividual 1976
Traditional steel-refining Individual 1977
Hair styling for traditional Okinawan performing artsIndividual2008
Special charcoal for polishing lacquer or metal handicraftsIndividual 1994
Production of brushes for Maki-efor maki-eIndividual 1987
Production of brushes for lacquerIndividual 1998
Production of tools for
Production of Yoshino, NaraIndividual 1999
Loom buildingIndividual 2003
Production of Arasō raw material for textilesramie used in kasuri resist-dyeingIndividual 2003
Crafting of kotsuzumi drums and drumheads for nohgakuIndividual 1995
Crafting of drumheads for Ōtsuzumi drums used in nohgakuIndividual 1976
Crafting and restoration of nohkan fluteIndividual 1978
Crafting and restoration of biwaIndividual2006
Wig styling for
Production of strings for Japanese stringed instrumentsfor shamisen, koto, wagon, biwaIndividual 1979
Loom Shuttle Individual 1999
Ryukyu IslandsJoint 1977
Karamushi plant productionramieGroup 1991
Awa Province Group 1978
Kabuki stage costume production and restorationGroup 2002
Kabuki stage properties productionGroup 1996
Kabuki stage set productionGroup 2002
Production of steel used for making Japanese swordstamahaganeGroup 1977
Production of tools for PapermakingwashiGroup 1976
Natural dyestuffs productionGroup 1979
Kumi Odori tools and costume production and restoration Group2009
Choma thread twistingGroup 2003
Production and refining of Japanese lacquerGroup 1976
Production of strings for Traditional Japanese musical instrumentsGroup 1991