The reopening of Japan to the western world in 1867 placed many cultural artifacts and historical buildings in jeopardy; legislation to protect the patrimony, enacted between 1871 and 1950, is listed. The procedures by which an owner of a cultural property can obtain restoration treatment is explained; Bijutsuin is the group who oversees the work on sculpture and lacquer. Traditional wood carving techniques are described; the conservation problems specific to each technique are explained. See also AATA 12-85 and 19-136 for related papers; and 22-201 for reference to book.