Report on National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties (structures) Designation Submitted

On May 18, the Council for Cultural Affairs submitted a report on two assets and nine assets to be designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties to SHIMOMURA Hakubun, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The two assets to be designated as National Treasures are two old shibi, known as ‘Tenpyō no iraka (Roof Tiles of the Tenpyō period)’, which was a type of decoration placed at both ends of the tiled roof of the Golden Hall of Tōshōdaiji temple (Nara City); and Kaigiin Shōdendō (Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture), characterized by ornate decoration. The list for Important Cultural Properties includes the Ushibuse River Main Channel (Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture), a 141-meter-long stair-stepped waterway. In addition to the list, Kauemon-chō in Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture, which developed along the road to Nikkō Tōshōgū shrine was also suggested to be the Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings. (Japanese)