Regarding the Nomination of the “Mozu-Furuichi” Ancient Tumulus Clusterfor Inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List
September 28, 2018
Statement on behalf of 13 associations with an interest in Japan's imperial tombs
The Osaka Historical Association, Kyoto Historical Science Association,
Kodaigakukenkyukai(古代学研究会), The Historical Society of Japan,
Japanese Local History Research Association, The Nara Society for Historical Studies,
The Japanese Archaeological Association, The Japanese Society for Historical Studies,
The Japanese Historical Council,
Japanese Association for Preservation of Cultural Properties,
Association of Historical Science (REKISHIKAGAKU KYOGIKAI),The Historical Science Society of Japan, History Educationalist Conference of JapanOf the many imperial tombs under the purview of the Imperial Household Agency, those
constructed between the 3rd and 7th centuries are of particular interest. In the modern era,
they have been maintained as the tombs of the Japanese imperial family and as sites forreligious rites. Over and above that, though, they are important sites of historical and cultural
heritage for all Japanese people, and we, the members of thirteen associations, have pressed
for the tombs to be conserved and opened to the public in view of this fact. As a result of our
combined efforts over the past forty or so years since the 1970s, the Imperial HouseholdAgency now publishes details of maintenance work and surveys of the tombs. Ourassociations have also liaised with the Imperial Household Agency to provide scientificinformation to the public and engage relevant organisations.
On 31st January 2018, the Japanese government nominated the 5th century “Mozu-Furuichi”
ancient tumulus cluster for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage list. The nomination isdue to be reviewed by the specialist body, the International Council on Monuments and Sites(ICOMOS), and an on-site survey is scheduled for September this year. We certainly believe
the “Mozu-Furuichi” ancient tumulus cluster merits World Heritage Site status, and we havehigh hopes for the new designation since global recognition would provide further impetus
for conserving and opening the tombs to the public. We would, therefore, like toacknowledge the great efforts made by the various bodies and individuals involved in thenomination. However, we believe there are two unresolved issues.
First is the issue of conserving the tombs and rendering them accessible to the public. Themain heritage site of the “Mozu-Furuichi” ancient tumulus cluster consists of imperial tombs
that fall under the purview of the Imperial Household Agency. As a general rule, these tombs
are not open to the public. In addition, the tombs are not preserved uniformly; rather, somefall within the purview of the Agency while some fall outside it. In 2013, we proposed that
the Imperial Household Agency and Agency for Cultural Affairs work together with local
government to develop uniform conservation measures and make progress with opening thetombs to the public. We can only hope that the relevant organisations will continue theirefforts to make this heritage site more accessible to the public, while bearing in mind that thesite comprises imperial tombs.
The second issue is that of nomenclature. We may take as an example the largest keyholeshaped tomb in Japan, which is situated within the Mozu cluster. The Imperial Household
Agency uses the name “Nintoku tennō Mozu no mimihara no naka no misasagi,” while thename for the same site used in the nomination for World Heritage status is “Nintoku tennōryōkofun.” However, it has long been doubted whether this truly was the final resting place forthe great king known to history as Emperor Nintoku. Since the emperor's name is yet to beestablished definitively by academics, the application of the specific name to the tomb may
lead to misunderstanding. It has been suggested that “Daisen kofun” or “Daisen-ryō kofun”
be used as the academic referent for the tomb (with “Daisen” written 大山 or 大仙). It is now
common practice for textbooks to give “Daisen kofun” alongside “Nintoku tennōryō kofun.”In short, while it may be convenient to use the name “Nintoku tennōryō kofun,” we areconcerned lest this leads people to believe that there is proof that Emperor Nintoku rests inthis tomb.
Finally, we would like to express our support for the inclusion of the “Mozu-Furuichi”
ancient tumulus cluster in the World Heritage list, and to articulate our view that it is aheritage site of value to all humankind.
Recommendations of the thirteen societies:
1. That the heritage site be properly conserved and maintained, and made more accessible tothe public.
2. That the heritage site be named appropriately, based on academic reasoning.