Photo/Illutration The ferroconcrete slide at Monma Elementary School in Miyashiro, Saitama Prefecture, in November. A butterfly, plane and other motifs are drawn on the slide. Children form a long line during a break between classes. (Shintaro Kato)

MIYASHIRO, Saitama Prefecture--A ferroconcrete slide at a schoolyard here that has been providing fun times for nearly a century will be designated as a tangible cultural asset.

The slide at Monma Elementary School is among few built with reinforced concrete in the Taisho Era (1912-1926) that still exist. It was introduced at the school on Nov. 28, 1926, the last year of the era.

The Council for Cultural Affairs recommended it along with 132 other structures to the culture minister on Nov. 15 for registration as national tangible cultural assets.

"It's rare for playground equipment still being used (to receive such a recommendation)," said a Cultural Affairs Agency official.

Local construction business operator Jozaemon Noguchi donated the slide to the school, which opened in 1873 during the Meiji Era (1868-1912).

The slide is about 3 meters high, 90 centimeters wide and has a slope of about 30 degrees. The surface of the slope, which is made of a mixture of cement and round stones, is polished and finished so that it appears as if it came from nature. With use over time, the slide became increasingly slippery.

“Children will be proud of their school (for the registration),” said Takao Yamaguchi, 53, the school's 35th principal. “It is very welcome news."