Memorial - Memorial

A classification of cultural properties. They are broadly divided into three types: (1) Shell mounds, ancient tombs, ruins of capitals, castles, old houses, and other ruins that are of high historical or academic value to the nation, (2) Gardens, bridges, canyons, beaches, mountains, and other scenic spots that are of high artistic or aesthetic value to the nation, and (3) Animals (including their habitats, breeding grounds, and migration sites), plants (including their natural habitats), and geological and mineral properties (including areas where unique natural phenomena occur) that are of high academic value to the nation.

Among these, the most important ones are designated and protected by the government as historic sites, places of scenic beauty, and natural monuments (and among these, those of even greater importance are special historic sites, special places of scenic beauty, and special natural monuments) under the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties. In addition, there are also registered monuments based on the registration system. As of March 1, 2019, the number of designated historic sites is 1,823 (including 62 special historic sites), 415 places of scenic beauty (including 36 special places of scenic beauty), and 1,030 natural monuments (including 75 special natural monuments).

[Takashi Satakita]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

文化財の分類の一つ。以下の三種に大別される。(1)貝塚、古墳、都城跡、城跡、旧宅等の遺跡で国にとって歴史上または学術上価値の高いもの、(2)庭園、橋梁(きょうりょう)、峡谷、海浜、山岳その他の名勝地で国にとって芸術上または鑑賞上価値の高いもの、(3)動物（生息地、繁殖地および渡来地を含む）、植物（自生地を含む）および地質鉱物（特異な自然の現象の生じている土地を含む）で国にとって学術上価値の高いもの。

　これらのうち重要なものについては、国が文化財保護法に基づき、それぞれ史跡、名勝、天然記念物（そのなかでもさらに重要度の高いものは特別史跡、特別名勝、特別天然記念物）に指定、保護を図っている。また、その他に、登録制度に基づく登録記念物もある。2019年（平成31）3月1日時点での指定件数は、史跡1823件（うち特別史跡62件）、名勝415件（うち特別名勝36件）、天然記念物1030件（うち特別天然記念物75件）となっている。

［佐滝剛弘］

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