国 宝(こくほう)

こくほう

noun

national treasure

1. national treasure

An item of cultural property designated by the Japanese government as having exceptional historical or artistic value, the highest classification of cultural property in Japan.

この城(しろ)は国宝(こくほう)に指定(してい)されている。

This castle has been designated as a national treasure.

国宝(こくほう)の絵画(かいが)を見(み)に美術館(びじゅつかん)へ行(い)った。

I went to the museum to see the national treasure paintings.

日本(にほん)には千(せん)を超(こ)える国宝(こくほう)がある。

Japan has more than a thousand national treasures.

Etymology

国(こく) (country) + 宝(ほう) (treasure)

Types

Includes buildings, paintings, sculptures, crafts, calligraphy, swords, and historical documents of exceptional importance.

Common collocations

国宝(こくほう)に指定(してい)する: to designate as a national treasure
国宝(こくほう)に指定(してい)されている: to be designated as a national treasure
国宝(こくほう)級(きゅう): national-treasure class (figurative)

Related words

重要(じゅうよう)文化財(ぶんかざい): important cultural property (one level below 国宝(こくほう))
世界(せかい)遺産(いさん): world heritage site
文化(ぶんか)遺産(いさん): cultural heritage

Related Words

Related: 重要文化財(じゅうようぶんかざい) (important cultural property)

Related: 世界遺産(せかいいさん) (world heritage site)

Related: 文化(ぶんか)遺産(いさん) (cultural heritage)

Compare: 秘宝(ひほう) (hidden treasure, secret treasure)

Compare: 有形文化財(ゆうけいぶんかざい) (tangible cultural property)

general

Added 2026.2.3 11:58 · Revised 2026.10.4 4:43

09500/09642_kokuhou