百舌鳥・古市古墳群を世界文化遺産に
Japan is littered with burial mounds. In my Kyoto neighborhood, a local park that is perhaps 2-3 acres and deeply wooded, was once home to the remains of local aristocrats. Dogs and children to this day enjoy running up and down the weedy hills that dot the the park. (The remains and items buried with the departed are long gone, having been looted hundreds of years ago.)
Farther south, in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, are perhaps the most famous burial mounds in the country. Seen from above, the best known of the Mozu burial mounds is shaped like a keyhole. This is but one of many in the area. It holds the remains of an emperor, and is thus managed by the Imperial Household Agency.
The Japanese Council for Cultural Affairs recently recommended the Mozu-Furuichi Kofungun ancient tumulus clusters for UNESCO World Heritage listing in 2019. If as expected the Cabinet approves this decision, the Japanese government will submit official documents of recommendation to UNESCO by Feb. 1 next year. UNESCO will then make its decision at some point next summer.
Osaka officials and local residents are in a full World Heritage Site Frenzy, hoping this will become Osaka's first site.
However, short of viewing the mound from above - via a drone? - there is little to see if one makes the trip.
As the mound is an imperial site, entrance is strictly limited. Japanese archaeologists, for example, are forbidden from digging and researching the mound. Many have filed for permission to enter the site - but are inevitably rebuffed.
Aside from being "holy ground," no reason is given. Rumors that a thorough dig of the 4th-century site would further tie the Japanese imperial family to the Korean peninsula is often cited.
Thus, short of dramatic loosening of regulations, visitors will stand at a traditional fence, perhaps 30 meters from a forest in which the mound lies. How this will result in a tourism boom has many scratching their heads.
© JapanVisitor.com
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Japan is littered with burial mounds. In my Kyoto neighborhood, a local park that is perhaps 2-3 acres and deeply wooded, was once home to the remains of local aristocrats. Dogs and children to this day enjoy running up and down the weedy hills that dot the the park. (The remains and items buried with the departed are long gone, having been looted hundreds of years ago.)
Farther south, in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, are perhaps the most famous burial mounds in the country. Seen from above, the best known of the Mozu burial mounds is shaped like a keyhole. This is but one of many in the area. It holds the remains of an emperor, and is thus managed by the Imperial Household Agency.
The Japanese Council for Cultural Affairs recently recommended the Mozu-Furuichi Kofungun ancient tumulus clusters for UNESCO World Heritage listing in 2019. If as expected the Cabinet approves this decision, the Japanese government will submit official documents of recommendation to UNESCO by Feb. 1 next year. UNESCO will then make its decision at some point next summer.
Osaka officials and local residents are in a full World Heritage Site Frenzy, hoping this will become Osaka's first site.
However, short of viewing the mound from above - via a drone? - there is little to see if one makes the trip.
As the mound is an imperial site, entrance is strictly limited. Japanese archaeologists, for example, are forbidden from digging and researching the mound. Many have filed for permission to enter the site - but are inevitably rebuffed.
Aside from being "holy ground," no reason is given. Rumors that a thorough dig of the 4th-century site would further tie the Japanese imperial family to the Korean peninsula is often cited.
Thus, short of dramatic loosening of regulations, visitors will stand at a traditional fence, perhaps 30 meters from a forest in which the mound lies. How this will result in a tourism boom has many scratching their heads.
© JapanVisitor.com
Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business
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