“Tales of the Jomon and Kofun”: archaeological heritage and society in contemporary Japan

In Japan, cultural heritage plays an important part in the construction and perception of Japanese identity; therefore garnering public support is considered an indispensable component of archaeological heritage management and protection policy. After outlining Japanese laws on archaeological heritage preservation, this paper will focus on the role of archaeology and heritage within current Japanese society on various levels: introducing the various stakeholders and their motivations in preserving, popularising and commercialising archaeological heritage, and exploring some manifestations of public-oriented archaeology. One factor is the recognised importance of disseminating archaeological knowledge to the general public; moreover, archaeologists and museum curators are well aware of the necessity to cultivate an interest among children in order to ensure future patronage. Another factor is a long history of public participation in archaeological excavations. Local neighbourhood groups and volunteers play essential supporting roles in museums and archaeological-themed events. Recently, two archaeological periods have experienced a particular surge of interest: the prehistoric Jomon period (c. 12,000-500BC), and the state-formation Kofun period (AD 3rd-6th Century). Local festivals showcasing Jomon or Kofun cultural aspects are organized by regional branches of the Ministry of Culture to encourage tourism and reinvent local identities, particularly in rural areas. In addition to many sites with National Heritage Site status, there are currently two nominations for World Heritage listing: Northern Japanese Jomon sites including Sannai-Maruyama, and the giant royal tombs of the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group in Osaka, which are receiving a great deal of attention by the Japanese mass-media. Finally, activities by non-archaeological professionals, such as writers and artists, are also promoting interest in archaeological heritage and material. In addition to museum merchandise, Jomon and Kofun-inspired themes are emerging in small-scale crafts and cottage industries. Author: Dr Bausch, Ilona - University of Tokyo (Presenting author)

• #education
• #public_archaeology_identity