人間国宝(にんげんこくほう)

にんげんこくほう
noun
Living National Treasure
1. Living National Treasure
An informal title for individuals officially designated as holders of Important Intangible Cultural Properties by the Japanese government. These are master practitioners of traditional arts and crafts, including kabuki, pottery, weaving, and swordsmithing.
彼(かれ)は人間国宝(にんげんこくほう)に認定(にんてい)された。
He was designated a Living National Treasure.
人間国宝(にんげんこくほう)の陶芸家(とうげいか)が作品(さくひん)展(てん)を開(ひら)いた。
A ceramicist who is a Living National Treasure held an exhibition.
伝統(でんとう)芸能(げいのう)を守(まも)るために、人間国宝(にんげんこくほう)の技(わざ)を次(つぎ)の世代(せだい)に伝(つた)えることが重要(じゅうよう)だ。
To preserve traditional performing arts, it is important to pass on the skills of Living National Treasures to the next generation.

Usage

人間国宝(にんげんこくほう) is the popular name for holders of 重要無形文化財(じゅうようむけいぶんかざい) (Important Intangible Cultural Properties). The system was established under the 1950 Cultural Properties Protection Act. Designees receive an annual stipend to support their work and the transmission of their skills.

Fields include traditional performing arts (歌舞伎(かぶき), 能(のう), 文楽(ぶんらく)), crafts (陶芸(とうげい), 染織(せんしょく), 漆芸(しつげい)), and other traditional skills.

Common collocations

Related Words

Related: 無形文化財(むけいぶんかざい) (intangible cultural property)
Related: 文化勲章(ぶんかくんしょう) (Order of Culture)
general
Added 2026.2.22 14:27 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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