What are these traditional construction techniques?
They are the wisdom required to use of wood, plants, earth and other natural materials in architectural spaces; systems for the procurement and reuse of materials in periodic maintenance and restoration; the harmonization and uniting of replacement materials with original items that are still good for use; and other such building repair techniques.
These traditional techniques have been passed down without break together with Japan’s wooden heritage buildings since ancient times and also developed through accumulated innovations. They are indispensable to the conservation of historic buildings, starting from Horyuji, but only rarely used in modern construction.
Seventeen traditional construction techniques, spanning the range from carpentry and thatching to plastering, decoration and matting, have been designated as heritage conservation techniques. Together with conserving the heritage buildings, they have the power to help society at large realize the sustainable, long-term use of structures and materials for the benefit of future generations.
The 17 Traditional Construction Techniques
(Selected Conservation Techniques of the Japanese government）
| Selected Techniques for Conservation | Organizations | |
|---|---|---|
| ① | Maintaining and Repairing Buildings | The Japanese Association for Conservation of Architectural Monuments |
| ② | Carpentry | |
| Society for the Preservation of the Skills Associated with Traditional Japanese Architecture | ||
| ③ | Cypress-bark Roofs | Conservation Society for the Roofing of Temples and Shrines |
| ④ | Shingle Roofs | |
| ⑤ | Thatched Roofs | |
| ⑥ | Bark Harvesting | |
| ⑦ | Obtaining Thatch | Japan Thatching Cultural Association |
| ⑧ | Architectural Decoration | Shrine and Temple Architectural Decoration Heritage Skill Association |
| ⑨ | Coloring | Association for the Preservation of the Nikko World Heritage Site Shrines and Temples |
| ⑩ | Lacquering | |
| ⑪ | Traditional Roof Tiling | Society for the Preservation of Traditional Japanese Roof-Tiling Skills |
| ⑫ | Plastering for Traditional-style Walls | National Preservation Society for Traditional-style Walls |
| ⑬ | Joinery | National Society for the Preservation of Traditional Joinery |
| ⑭ | Tatami-making | Society for the Conservation of Culturally Important Tatami Mats |
| ⑮ | Restoration techniques for Japanese paintings and calligraphy | The Association for Conservation of National Treasures |
| ⑯ | Production and Refining of Domestically Sourced Lacquer | The Society for Japanese Lacquer |
| Japanese Urushi Tapping Preservation Society | ||
| ⑰ | Making Gold Leaf | Society for the Conservation of Traditional Kanazawa Gold Leaf Techniques |
Association for Traditional Construction Techniques
This is the umbrella association for the “traditional skills, techniques and knowledge for the conservation and transmission of wooden architecture in Japan” now registered on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Its membership consists of the official societies for the protection of the nationally designated conservation techniques. The association not only engages in their protection, use and development but also promulgates these techniques both in Japan and worldwide.