The properties accredited as an important art object include many items such as paintings, Buddha statues, craft products, sutra scrolls, classical books, archaeological materials and buildings, and they have a few outstanding characteristics compared to the articles designated as a national treasure (which are equivalent to the 'important cultural property' under the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties) of those days.
重要美術品等認定物件には、絵画、仏像、工芸品、経巻、典籍、考古資料、建造物など各種のものが含まれているが、当時の国宝指定物件（文化財保護法における「重要文化財」に相当）に比して、いくつかの際立った特色がある。