01438nas a2200229   4500000000100000008004100001653001700042653002700059653003700086653003300123653001000156653001000166653002700176653003000203100002400233245008800257856011800345300001000463490000600473520070900479022002001188                                       d10aAuthenticity10aFolk cultural property10aHolder or bearer of folk culture10aIntangible cultural property10aJapan10aKorea10aliving human treasures10aLiving National Treasures1 aNoriko Aikawa-Faure00aExcellence and authenticity:  Living National (Human) Treasures  in Japan and Korea  uhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84906808184&partnerID=40&md5=24e065da15ab0404626adcf06aedc43b  a37-510 v93 aThis article first reviews the Japanese system for the protection of the intangible cultural heritage (ICH), notably how the system of  Living National Treasures  and the protection of  Folk Cultural Properties  have been implemented in the country. It then goes on to describe the Korean system which seems similar but in fact is different in its objectives and approaches. The paper then refers to UNESCO s efforts to promote a  Living Human Treasures  system worldwide. Finally, it questions whether the official recognition of selected expressions of the intangible cultural heritage is a universally suitable measure to ensure the global safeguarding of ICH and notably of folk cultural expressions.  a19753586 (ISSN)