Traditional skills, techniques and knowledge for the conservation and transmission of wooden architecture in Japan
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Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright Manage No EE00001964 Country Japan ICH Domain Knowledge and practices about nature and the universe Traditional craft skills
| Description | The nomination consists of 17 traditional skills and techniques indispensable for conserving and transmitting wooden architecture in Japan. These skills and techniques are practiced by craftspersons who transmit them from generation to generation. The vast knowledge regarding wood and other natural materials that these craftspersons possess comes from Japan’s natural environment. Roughly 70% of Japan is forested. Therefore, wood and natural materials have been part of their lives since ancient times; they have made tools for daily use and built houses and other structures out of wood. They also acquired knowledge to restore these wooden structures, which begin decaying from the moment they are built because most of Japan has a hot and humid climate. Under these environmental conditions, it is not only the techniques for building new structures but also those for restoring existing ones that have played crucial roles in life with wooden structures. The damaged parts must be repaired every few years or decades. These skills and techniques require not only fine manual work, but also the knowledge about raw materials necessary for conservation and restoration. Many historic wooden structures that have been conserved and recreated by these traditional skills and techniques continue to provide cultural symbols for present-day Japanese. For example, the oldest surviving wooden structure in the world, Horyu-ji temple (built in the early 7th century), is still visited by many. Such wooden cultural heritage, including their interior parts, has been a cultural and spiritual basis of the Japanese people. |
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| Social and cultural significance | Creativity and diversity are essential parts of this element. People become aware of human creativity both in the restoration process and in the restored structures. The creativity is exhibited especially in the aesthetic quality of all parts of wooden structures. The elaborate design and fine workmanship of roofs, walls or joinery fully show the craftspersons’ creativity. These designs are regionally diverse, and vary based on the availability of raw materials. The inscription of the elements, therefore, makes people aware of and thus promotes also cultural diversity. Besides that, the element has created cultural spaces that have nurtured diverse traditional cultures such as tea ceremony and flower arrangement. |
| Transmission method | The nominated element has been transmitted by each preservation association through both non-formal and formal means. The traditional skills, techniques and knowledge are transmitted non-formally at the actual sites where construction and restoration is being carried out. Individual craftspersons who are veterans transmit their skills and knowledge by instructing younger craftspersons in practical work. Each preservation association organizes formal training courses to train successors; these courses are organized by level of mastery and certify those who complete them. By making clear the stages of the transmission of traditional skills and techniques that had been ill-defined, it became possible to set goals that young craftspersons should strive for and to motivate them to want to improve their skills. Furthermore, to attract young people who aim to become craftspersons, the associations educate children both in and outside of schools. At the same time, they carry out projects to help the public understand the skills, techniques and knowledge better. The government has also secured a certain number of restoration sites where craftspersons can practice their skills and techniques so that craftspersons with limited experience practice under the guidance of those with more extensive experience. Through this, the skills, techniques and knowledge are transmitted from experienced craftspersons to younger craftspersons daily. |
| Type of UNESCO List | Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity |
| Incribed year in UNESCO List | 2020 |
