Huang Goodman · Art Forgotten

Art Forgotten

Art from public museum collections. A mismatched real Japanese law, and some other factoids.

Every object, image and description comes from the museum's own catalogue record, and every object links to its original. Japanese records are machine-translated into English; the museum's Japanese is kept beside the translation because it is the authoritative form. Each law carries its official number and links to e-Gov 法令検索, the Japanese government's statute database.

浮世絵版画 役者絵
{浮世絵版画 役者絵 · - · 江戸 · Japan Search · 国立国会図書館}
Ukiyo-e painting: actor pictures.

Kawagoe Furuoka The art of Kawagoe Furuoka: 1. In this catalog, we present the art of Kawagoe Furuoka. 2. The works of Kawagoe Furuoka span various genres. 3. His early pieces reflect a traditional approach. 4. In his middle period, he experimented with new techniques. 5. Later in his career, he returned to more conventional methods. 6. Throughout his artistic journey, Kawagoe Furuoka's passion for beauty is evident. 7. His mastery of various mediums is impressive. 8. Each piece invites the viewer to explore its intricacies. 9. Kawagoe Furuoka's art is a testament to his creative spirit and dedication. 10. We are proud to present this selection of his works for your enjoyment.

歌川国芳

View the original at Japan Search →
The law
文化財保護法
Act on Protection of Cultural Properties
昭和二十五年法律第二百十四号 · Act No. 214 of 1950

Article 1 sets a purpose larger than preservation: to preserve cultural properties AND to make use of them, contributing to the cultural advancement of the people and to the progress of world culture. Article 4 turns that outward. An owner must recognise the object as a precious national asset, preserve it for the public, and make it public as far as possible. Ownership here carries a duty to show.

The cool part. "Living National Treasure" appears nowhere in the statute. Article 71 requires that when an Important Intangible Cultural Property is designated, the minister must also certify its holder or holding group. Japan does not register the pot, it registers the potter. Article 96 is the one that reaches ordinary people: if you uncover a shell mound, a dwelling site or a tumulus, you must leave it exactly as it is and notify the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs without delay, and the Commissioner can freeze the ground for up to three months.

Verify at e-Gov 法令検索 →

Use it Two-colour foil on uncoated stock gets you most of this at production cost.

Description source: museum curator text, translated — not generated