1 - Cultural Landscapes in Japan: Case Studies in Shiga, Ehime and Okinawa Prefectures

Summary

Using the idea of “cultural landscape” in Japan we can evaluate the local area from three points of view: nature, history and the life and livelihood of the residents. This perspective helps us understand the locality and the relationship between nature and humans in each area. This chapter introduces various features of Japanese cultural landscapes through three case studies in different environments in Japan: Higashi-kusano (in the central region of Japan), Karihama (Shikoku Island region), and Imadomari (on Okinawa Island).

Introduction

The cultural landscape is a perspective for understanding local life with its surrounding environment. Although it had been discussed in geography, it was used in widespread genres following its introduction by UNESCO in 1992. When the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage was concluded in 1972, both cultural and natural heritage was identified. This division was initially criticized, and the discussion of the idea about the relationship between nature and human life continued within the World Heritage Committee and other academic realms. The cultural landscape—as a new concept to bridge nature and human life in world heritage—was created in 1992. The concept is represented as the “combined works of nature and of man.” There are currently 114 properties on the World Heritage List as cultural landscapes.

The protection of property through national law is a prerequisite for registration as a world heritage site. In Japan, although historical heritage had been protected by the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties (Bunkazai hogohō) since 1950, it failed to protect the properties which combined nature and human life. Therefore, cultural landscape as cultural property was introduced in the revision to the law in 2005. The definition of “cultural landscape” in the law is provided below:

Landscape areas that have developed in association with the modes of life or livelihoods of the people and the natural features of the region, which are indispensable for the understanding of our people's modes of life and livelihoods.

The destruction of local landscapes and the disappearance of local lifestyles were broadcast around Japan following the period of high economic growth. The protection of the landscape was considered one of the most important policy issues.