Wikipedia:Today's featured list/November 20, 2015
One hundred thirty entries of sculpture have been designated as National Treasures of Japan, including groups of related sculptures that have been joined to form single entries. The term "National Treasure" has been used in Japan to denote cultural properties since 1897. The definition and the criteria have changed since the inception of the term. These sculptures adhere to the current definition, and have been designated national treasures since the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties came into force on June 9, 1951. The items are selected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology based on their "especially high historical or artistic value". The sculpture entries include those from Classical and early Feudal Japan of the 7th-century Asuka period to the 13th-century Kamakura period. They depict Buddhist (Ashura pictured) and Shintō deities or priests venerated as founders of temples. Some of the most ancient sculptures were imported directly from China. (This list is part of a featured topic: National Treasures of Japan.)