The performing arts are divided into eight categories: Gagaku, Noh, Bunraku, Kabuki, Kumi Odori, Music, Dance, and Drama. The categories are subdivided into a number of subcategories, usually by role or instrument.
Those working in the performing arts are eligible for recognition either individually (Individual Certification) or as part of a group (General Certification).
List of current designated individuals (performing arts)
^"人間国宝の安福建雄さん死去 能楽師大鼓方" [Living National Treasure Tatsuo Yasufuku has died, Ōtsuzumi-kata Noh performer]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). 19 July 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
^"竹本住太夫さん死去=文楽太夫の人間国宝、93歳" [Living National Treasure Sumitayū Takemoto, "Bunraku Tayū", has died at age 93]. Nippon.com (in Japanese). 28 April 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
^"人間国宝の豊竹嶋太夫さん死去 人形浄瑠璃文楽の太夫" [Living National Treasure Shimatayū Toyotake has died, Tayū Ningyo Joruri performer]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). 24 August 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
^"鶴澤寛治さん死去=文楽三味線の人間国宝、89歳" [Bunraku Shamisen Living National Treasure Tsuruzawa Kanji has died at age 89]. Nippon.com (in Japanese). 5 September 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
^"文楽人形遣いの吉田文雀さんが死去 人間国宝" [Living National Treasure and Bunraku puppeteer Yoshida Bunjaku has died]. The Nikkei (in Japanese). 21 August 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
^"青木鈴翁氏が死去 尺八奏者" [Aoki Reiou has died, Shakuhachi player]. The Nikkei (in Japanese). 31 August 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
^"人間国宝の尺八奏者・山本邦山さんが死去 映画音楽なども担当" [Hōzan Yamamoto, Shakuhachi master and Living National Treasure, has died]. Sankei Sports (in Japanese). 10 February 2014. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
^"堅田喜三久氏が死去 長唄鳴物の人間国宝" [Katada Kisaku has died, a Living National Treasure of Nagauta]. The Nikkei (in Japanese). 19 December 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
^"常磐津一巴太夫氏が死去 浄瑠璃の人間国宝" [Tokiwazu Ichihadayū has died, a Living National Treasure of Jōruri]. The Nikkei (in Japanese). 17 August 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
^"清元栄三氏が死去 清元節三味線の人間国宝" [Eizō Kiyomoto has died, a Living National Treasure of the Kiyomoto-bushi Shamisen]. The Nikkei (in Japanese). 10 January 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
^"人間国宝の島袋正雄さんが死去 琉球古典音楽野村流" [Living National Treasure Shimabukuro Masao, performer of Nomura Style Ryūkyū classical music, has died]. Okinawa Times (in Japanese). 24 April 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
^"第2回 受賞者インタビュー 花柳幸舞音さん" [Interview with 2nd New Prize for Japanese Dance Winner Sachimaine Hanayagi]. Chunichi Shimbun (in Japanese). 5 April 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
^"日本落语泰斗桂米朝去世 生于中国痴迷曲艺(图)" [Beichō Katsura, Japanese rakugo and quyi master born in China, has died]. Sina News (in Chinese). 30 March 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
^"柳家小三治さんが死去 81歳、人間国宝の落語家" [Kosanji Yanagiya has died at age 81, a Living National Treasure rakugo storyteller]. The Nikkei (in Japanese). 10 October 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
^"一龍斎貞水さん死去 講談師、人間国宝" [Ichiryūsai Teisui has died, Kōdanshi, Living National Treasure]. Tokyo Shimbun (in Japanese). 10 December 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2022.