From the imperial household to the state: The establishment of the protection concept of intangible cultural property (part 1)

摘要

Before World War II (WWII), the Imperial Household of Japan played an important role in the protection of intangible cultural properties, for example, by granting subsidies to traditional artists, and employing performers of the classical arts and rituals. Therefore, in this article, while focusing on the changes that the Imperial Household went through following the end of the war, we analyze the process of the intangible property protection system that shifted from the protection of the Imperial Household before WWII to the legal protection of the state after WWII, following a decision by the Diet. Before WWII, the Imperial Household in Japan played an important role in the protection of intangible cultural properties, for example, by granting subsidies to traditional artists, and employing performers of classical arts and rituals. Therefore, in this thesis, while focusing on the changes the Imperial Household went through following the end of the war, we analyzed the process of the intangible property protection system shifting from the protection of the Imperial Household before WWII to the legal protection of the state after WWII, following a decision made by the Diet.