Portal:Ancient Japan/Selected lists/1



The term "National Treasure"  has been used in Japan to denote cultural  properties since 1897. The definition and the criteria have changed since the inception of the   term. The structures in this list of shrines designated as National Treasures of Japan are eligible for government  grants for repairs, maintenance and the installation of fire-prevention   facilities and other disaster prevention systems. Owners are required to  announce any changes to the National Treasures such as damage or  loss  and need to obtain a permit for transfer of ownership or intended   repairs. The  practice of marking sacred areas began in Japan as early as the Yayoi period   (from about 500 BC to 300 AD) originating from  primal  religious beliefs. Features in the landscape such as rocks, waterfalls,  islands, and especially mountains, were places believed to  be capable  of attracting kami,   and subsequently were worshiped as yorishiro. Originally, sacred  places may have been simply marked with a surrounding fence  and an   entrance gate or torii. Later, temporary  structures similar to present day portable shrines were constructed to welcome the gods to the sacred place, which   eventually evolved into permanent buildings that were dedicated to the   gods. Ancient shrines were constructed according to the style of  dwellings (Izumo Taisha) or storehouses (Ise Grand Shrine). The buildings had gabled roofs,  raised floors, plank walls, and were thatched with reed or covered with hinoki cypress bark. Such early shrines did not include a space for worship. Three important forms  of ancient shrine architectural styles exist: taisha-zukuri,  shinmei-zukuri and sumiyoshi-zukuri. They are exemplified by  Izumo Taisha,   Nishina Shinmei Shrine and Sumiyoshi Taisha,   respectively, and date from before 552 AD. According to the tradition of Shikinen sengū-sai (式年遷宮祭),   the buildings or shrines were faithfully rebuilt at regular intervals   adhering to the original design. In this manner, ancient styles have  been replicated through the centuries to the present day.

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