「遺産」概念の再検討

<p>  This article intends to review the discussion at the annual conference of the Waseda Association of Cultural Anthropology on January 10, 2006. The paper describes the historical transformation of the heritage concept, and attempts to clarify what circumstances influenced changes in the concept of heritage, and also suggests what kind of impact could follow changes in the heritage concept. </p><p>  In both Japan and the Western world, the traditional concept of heritage has more or less the same meaning, namely, it is inherited property, something passed down from preceeding generations, or the status acquired by a person through birth. In each case, the term "heritage" indicates something valuable which is inherited from ancestors, and in this regard, the traditional concept of heritage is static. This being said, it appears that the ownership of heritage may be more clearly defined in the Western world than in Japan. </p><p>  Although the above concept is still used in our everyday life, it seems to me that it has repeatedly been modified, and its meaning expanded. Consequently it now conveys a variety of meanings. Many agree that UNESCO is responsible for this modification, and that the UNESCO World Heritage Convention which came into effect in 1972 has had a large impact on our concept of heritage. </p><p>  Since 1972, more than 800 sites or objects have been inscribed in the World Heritage list. As the World Heritage sites are widely distributed throughout the world, new problems have come to light. Namely, the original concept of "heritage" which had been based on the traditional/dictionary meaning of heritage did not fit some of those sites, and consequently the concept has been continuously reviewed and modified. In particular, modifications have been made in terms of culture, since newly nominated sites are located in different cultural contexts. </p><p>  Reviewing this series of modifications, it seems to me that there are three major turning points: </p><p>  First, in the late 1970s and 1980s, questions were first raised about the overly clear categorizations of natural and cultural heritages. In response to these questions, UNESCO created a new category, "complex heritage," which combines the characteristics of both categories. During the 1990s, UNESCO further modified the concept, and created the category of "cultural landscape" which included not only the sites themselves, but also the surrounding environments. In this conceptual framework, a wide area can and should be inscribed into the World Heritage list. </p><p>  Second, more recent concepts of heritage tend to note technologies or knowledge which were used to create the material heritage. Here, the concept of heritage was further modified to include non-physical aspects of heritage. </p><p>  Third, most recent discussion concerns the even more intangible aspects of heritage. In this regard, the focus is on the everyday practice of local people within and around the site. </p><p>  Finally, I would like to comment on the present-day situation with respect to the concept of heritage. There are at least three significant aspects of heritage: 1) heritage as symbols; 2) heritage as economic stimulus; and 3) heritage in consideration to the life of inhabitants. I especially focus on the third aspect. Nowadays it is most important to think about contemporary people who reside within or near the heritage area in terms of heritage management. This approach is inclusively called "living heritage," which means the definition of heritage should include such inhabitants who use the site for their own lives. </p><p>  In conclusion, we recognize that the meaning of heritage has been continuously modified, and as a consequence, is now far different from the original concept. </p><p>(View PDF for the rest of the abstract.)</p>