Traditional Japanese architectural craftsmanship used in timber-framed structures was approved Thursday for addition to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, a committee of the U.N. cultural body said.
Traditional skills, techniques and knowledge that comprise the craftsmanship cover 17 areas essential for repairing and restoring shrines, temples and old houses, which are traditionally made of wood.
Such structures include Horyuji, a World Heritage Buddhist temple said to have been built in 607. The building in the western prefecture of Nara is the world's oldest surviving wooden structure.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said in a statement that he "truly rejoices" at the UNESCO listing.
"Structures like Horyuji and Himeji Castle can still be seen to this day thanks to repair work based on traditional techniques," he said, referring to an ancient castle in Hyogo Prefecture, which is also a world heritage site.
Among other techniques recognized Thursday by the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's Intergovernmental Committee were "sakan" plastering, the harvesting of Japanese cypress bark for roofing, lacquer painting of traditional structures and the production of tatami mats.
Despite using natural materials, the centuries-old techniques are still indispensable today to enhance the resilience of old buildings to earthquakes and typhoons. They can also be used to restore structures damaged in the event of such natural disasters.
One such example is Kumamoto Castle, which was heavily damaged by earthquakes in 2016.
The architectural craft will be formally listed on the final day of the committee's meeting on Saturday as the country's 22nd entry. It follows other intangible heritages such as the performing arts of Noh and Kabuki as well as "washoku" traditional cuisine.
Paris-based UNESCO had initially planned to convene an intergovernmental committee meeting in Jamaica from late November, but it was postponed due to the novel coronavirus pandemic and it was instead held online from Monday.
Tokyo next hopes to include "Furyu-odori" folk dance on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2022, as the U.N. only screens nominees every two years.
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