(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(しろ)国宝(こくほう)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)絵画(かいが)()美術館(びじゅつかん)()った。
I went to the museum to see the national treasure paintings.
日本(にほん)には(せん)()える国宝(こくほう)がある。
Japan has more than a thousand national treasures.

国宝(こくほう) is the highest classification of cultural property in Japan, designated by the national government under the Cultural Properties Protection Act.

WORD FORMATION:
(こく) (country) + (ほう) (treasure)

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Includes buildings, paintings, sculptures, crafts, calligraphy, swords, and historical documents of exceptional importance.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

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

RELATED TERMS:

  • 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