The treasure of the living nation of Japan: the guardian of tradition

Japan is a country with national treasures. From clay figurines dating back thousands of years to sophisticated lacquerware, pagodas on the mountain, the retention of castles and the largest wooden architecture in the world, the “treasure” of Japanese culture is aptly named because there are many of them. You can even talk to the treasures of the country (which is certainly true for everyone) and hope they answer (which is certainly rare). They are the living national treasures of Japan: highly precious masters of art, craft and performing arts that maintain the traditional culture of the country. Here’s everything you need to know.

Guardian, not a celebrity

The living national treasures (Ningen Kokuho) are formally certified as “holders of important intangible cultural properties”, meaning their unique abilities. The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, LNT recognized as a person but ultimately celebrated the skills the winners retained for future generations. That’s why LNT certification also includes the categories of small and large craftsmen.

The program dates back to the mid-20th century and originates from the Horyu-ji Temple in Nara, home to the world’s oldest wooden structure. After severely damaged priceless murals in the main hall of the temple, the Japanese government realized that few people could repair or reproduce these seventh and eighth centuries artworks there. This was the devastation caused by World War II that made Japan begin to think that cultural heritage is more than just something you can touch.

So in 1955, five years after the government passed the protection of cultural property, it recognized the first group to have priceless knowledge about everything from NOH or Kabuki Theatre to Imperial Court music, ceramics, swordsmanship, swordsmanship, bamboo crafts, and more. However, their expertise cannot be purely theoretical.

The treasure of a living nation must live a life of creation

In addition to boasting about becoming a national treasure (and all the possible access to your free drinks), the Japanese government also awards LNT certification recipients 2 million yen each year. As of June 2025, that could be $13,500. It can be lived in, but far beyond the luxurious postal code. However, this is good because these main artists also have a day to work. They need it.

In addition to directing the apprentice and documenting its process, LNT must also actively perform or display its art. Government allowances are designed solely to cover basic living expenses so that talented people can focus on their important work and continue to contribute to art and history, such as by helping to restore recovery technologies that were once thought to have gone through time. For example, carpenters and living national treasure Hiromichi Osaka discovered how ancient Nara craftsmen created complex patterns on rosewood boxes – it turned out to be tin inlays.

This is a very unique club

The largest number of treasures for living ethnic groups is 116. The only way is to first get amazing on traditional Japanese crafts or performing artworks and then wait for someone you may appreciate deeply, well, OK. (As of July 2024, there are 108 living national treasures.) In addition, you need to be able to teach the next generation what you know.

You may be familiar with the saying, “Those who can, who will; those who cannot teach.” But to be an LNT, you must be able to do it at the same time. This is why the review process even takes into account the number of apprentices for candidates. After all, national treasures will be shared with the whole world.

This is at the heart of some of the big criticisms targeting the program. If living national treasures are so important to the Japanese souls, why are they limited in numbers? This has led to some masters of the past, simply because their LNT category has no space, even if their special talents have unique qualities. Perhaps the result is that not everyone thinks it is a huge honor to be called a “national treasure”. In 1959, Kitaoji Rosanjin, an artist who performed well in ceramics, calligraphy and lacquerware, was appointed as a lively national treasure, but ultimately refused the championship.

future

One might think that a remarkable focus on tradition and history leads to the suffocation of innovation, but the Living National Treasure Project is not against change. In 2026, they will add a new category: Chefs and sake brewers. There are also discussions that recognize life area Treasure so that more talents can be preserved and spread.

The Living National Treasure Initiative also inspires plans in China, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia and Ireland, so while it may not be perfect, it does seem to have paid a lot of benefits in the world. Hopefully, it will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

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