An important art object is a tangible cultural property so accredited by the Japanese government (the Minister of Education) under the former "Law relating to the reservation of important fine arts" with the main purpose of preventing outflow of antiques to outside Japan, prior to the enactment of the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties.
重要美術品（じゅうようびじゅつひん）は、文化財保護法施行以前、旧「重要美術品等ノ保存ニ関スル法律」に基づき日本政府（文部大臣）が、日本国外への古美術品の流出防止を主目的として認定した有形文化財のことである。