Important Cultural Properties of films
NFAJ stores four items designated as Important Cultural Properties: three negative films and one positive film, including Momijigari [Maple Viewing], the first motion picture film designated as an Important Cultural Property in Japan.
- Designation in 2009, Momijigari [Maple Viewing]
- Designation in 2010, The Historical Drama, The Farewell Scenes of Kusunoki Masashige and His Son
- Designation in 2011, The Funeral of Tomijiro Kobayashi
Designation in 2009, Momijigari [Maple Viewing]
On July 10th 2009, Momijigari [Maple Viewing] (a 35mm nitrate dupe negative film in 1927, [342 ft. 13 frames]) stored at the then National Film Center of the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo (NFC) was designated as an Important Cultural Property. More than 100 years after motion pictures were introduced to Japan, this was the first designation of one as an Important Cultural Property and led the way for the safeguarding of motion picture films as cultural assets both in name and in reality.
Designation in 2010, The Farewell Scenes of Kusunoki Masashige and His Son
On June 29th 2010, The Farewell Scenes of Kusunoki Masashige and His Son (1921, a 35mm nitrate original negative film, [1,053 ft.]) stored at the then NFC was designated as an Important Cultural Property. This was the second designation of motion picture film as an Important Cultural Property after Momijigari the previous year.
Designation in 2011, The Funeral of Tomijiro Kobayashi
On June 27th 2011, The Funeral of Tomijiro Kobayashi (1910, a 35mm nitrate original negative [436 ft. 13 frames], a 35mm nitrate projection positive [444 ft. 13 frames]) stored at the then NFC was designated as an Important Cultural Property. Following Momijigari in 2009, and The Historical Drama, The Farewell Scenes of Kusunoki Masashige and His Son in 2010, this was the third designation of motion picture film as an Important Cultural Property.