The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) intangible cultural heritage elements are the non-physical traditions and practices performed by a people. As part of a country's cultural heritage, they include celebrations, festivals, performances, oral traditions, music, and the making of handicrafts. The "intangible cultural heritage" is defined by the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, drafted in 2003 and took effect in 2006. Inscription of new heritage elements on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists is determined by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, an organisation established by the convention.
Japan ratified the convention on 15 June 2004.
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Representative List Name Image Year No. Description Kabuki theatre 2008 00163 is a classical form of Japanese theatre, mixing dramatic performance with traditional dance. Ningyo Johruri Bunraku puppet theatre 2008 00064 , also known as , is a form of traditional Japanese puppet theatre, founded in Osaka in the beginning of the 17th century. Nōgaku theatre 2008 00012 is one of the traditional styles of Japanese theater. It is composed of the lyric drama , and the comic theater . Traditional Ainu dance 2009 00278 Ainu people have no indigenous system of writing, and so have traditionally inherited the folklore and the laws of their culture orally, often through music. Daimokutate 2009 00276 The is a recitation show that is performed at Yahashira Shrine in Kami-fukawa village, near the city of Nara. Dainichido Bugaku 2009 00275 is a yearly set of nine sacred ritual dances and music. Instruments include the flute and taiko. Akiu no Taue Odori 2009 00273 is a traditional rice-planting dance in Akiu. Hayachine kagura 2009 00272 is a ritual dance, or kagura, in Shinto ceremonies, which is composed of a series of twelve dances. It is performed on 1 August at Hayachine Shrine in Hanamaki. Oku-noto no Aenokoto 2009 00271 is a ritual passed down from generation to generation by farmers in the Noto Peninsula. Aenokoto means "banquet ritual". Ojiya-chijimi, Echigo-jofu: techniques of making ramie fabric in Uonuma region, Niigata Prefecture 2009 00266 from Ojiya and from Echigo are two traditional fabrics woven with fine bast fiber from the ramie plant. Gagaku 2009 00265 is a type of Japanese classical music that was historically used for imperial court music and dances. Yūki-tsumugi, silk fabric production technique 2010 00406 is a variety of silk cloth produced chiefly in . Kumiodori, traditional Okinawan musical theatre 2010 00405 is a form of narrative traditional Ryūkyūan dance. Sada Shin Noh, sacred dancing at Sada shrine, Shimane 2011 00412 Sada Shin Noh are ritual purification dances performed annually on 24–25 September in the Sada Shrine. Mibu no Hana Taue, ritual of transplanting rice in Mibu, Hiroshima 2011 00411 is ritual of transplanting rice that is held every year on the first Sunday of June in Kitahiroshima, in hopes of a good harvest. Nachi no Dengaku, a religious performing art held at the Nachi fire festival 2012 00413 were rustic celebrations that developed as a musical accompaniment to rice planting observances. The Nachi Fire Festival is a part of the Kumano Nachi Shrine's annual celebrations. Washoku, traditional dietary cultures of the Japanese, notably for the celebration of New Year 2013 00869 The word is now the common word for traditional Japanese cooking. Washi, craftsmanship of traditional Japanese hand-made paper 2014 02291 is traditional Japanese paper processed by hand using fibers from the inner bark of the gampi tree, the mitsumata shrub, or the paper mulberry (kōzo) bush. Yama, Hoko, Yatai, float festivals in Japan 2016 02292 Thirty-three float festivals around Japan held annually to pray to the gods for peace and protection from natural disasters. Raiho-shin, ritual visits of deities in masks and costumes 2018 01271 Visiting deity (raihoshin) event in which men representing the deity toshidon dress in straw raincoats decorated with leaves and masks with long pointed noses and demonic horns. Visiting the houses they scold the children and preach good behaviour. Traditional skills, techniques and knowledge for the conservation and transmission of wooden architecture in Japan 2020 02293 Japanese architecture has been typified by wooden structures, elevated slightly off the ground, with tiled or thatched roofs. Furyu-odori, ritual dances imbued with people’s hopes and prayers 2022 01701 are traditional folk dances often consisting of large processions of participants typically wearing colorful costumes and accompanied by props. Traditional knowledge and skills of sake-making with koji mold in Japan 2024 01977 is a rice wine traditionally made from rice, water, and mold.
See also List of World Heritage Sites in Japan Intangible Cultural Property (Japan) List of Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties
References
External links UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: Official site UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in Japan: Official site