List of National Treasures of Japan (writings: Classical Chinese books)

This article is about Chinese book National Treasures. For a list of Japanese book National Treasures, see List of National Treasures of Japan (writings: Japanese books). For a list of other national treasure writings including Buddhist texts and exemplary calligraphy, see List of National Treasures of Japan (writings: others).
Part of the oldest extant transcription of A New Account of the Tales of the World, a collection of anecdotes about distinguished people of the Later Han dynasty to the Eastern Jin dynasty.

The term "National Treasure" has been used in Japan to denote cultural properties since 1897,[1][2] although the definition and the criteria have changed since the introduction of the term. The written materials in the list adhere to the current definition, and have been designated National Treasures according to the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties that came into effect on June 9, 1951. The items are selected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology based on their "especially high historical or artistic value".[3][4] The list presents 57 entries from the 7th century Tang dynasty to the Kamakura period with more than half originating in China. The total number of items is higher, however, since groups of related objects have been joined as single entries. The list contains works that have been originally compiled in China by Chinese authors. A large proportion of these works are Chinese classics.[4]

Written language was introduced to Japan around 400 AD in the form of Chinese books written in Classical Chinese. Japanese interest in Chinese writings and culture gradually increased towards the end of the 6th century when Japanese rulers sent missions to the mainland for cultural studies and to bring back books. During circa 300 years in the Sui and Tang dynasties, a large number of Chinese books were brought to Japan. By the 8th century, Chinese works were customarily copied at Japanese libraries to satisfy the demand for education of the male aristocracy. Until the early 17th century, copying in Japan was largely by hand. However, Chinese printed editions of the Song dynasty were imported following an increased trading activity at the start of the Kamakura period (after 1192). The designated manuscripts are either transcriptions of the original works produced in China or in Japan or are Chinese printed editions. The Chinese manuscripts, both handwritten and printed editions, were imported to Japan at the time. The designated treasures are housed in temples, museums, libraries, shrines, universities and in private collections.[4]

The objects in this list represent about one fourth of the 235 National Treasures in the category "writings". They are complemented by 71 Japanese book National Treasures of the List of National Treasures of Japan (writings: Japanese books) and 107 other written National Treasures of the List of National Treasures of Japan (writings: others).[4]

  1. ^ Coaldrake, William Howard (2002) [1996]. Architecture and authority in Japan. London, New York: Routledge. p. 248. ISBN 0-415-05754-X. Retrieved 2010-08-28.
  2. ^ Enders & Gutschow 1998, p. 12
  3. ^ "Cultural Properties for Future Generations" (PDF). Tokyo, Japan: Agency for Cultural Affairs, Cultural Properties Department. March 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-12-16. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
  4. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference bunkacho was invoked but never defined (see the help page).