Concept
The Further Evolution of Authenticity through the Lens of Heritage Ecosystems:
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Ⅰ. Background
A Decade of Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites as a World Heritage Site
2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the World Heritage inscription of the "Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites." This World Cultural Heritage site, consisting of four components—Tomioka Silk Mill, Tajima Yahei Sericulture Farm, Takayama-sha Sericulture School, and Arafune Cold Storage—has been recognized as a common heritage of humanity that should be passed down through the generations, primarily from the following perspectives:
- Heritage that tells the story of important stages in history (Criterion iv): It conveys Japan's significant role in technological innovation within the international silk industry.
- Heritage that demonstrates the exchange of values during a particular era (Criterion ii): The large-scale factory buildings constructed in the late 19th century illustrate the emergence of a unique industrial architectural style that blends Japanese and Western elements.
During ten years since its inscription, efforts have been made in Gunma Prefecture to preserve and promote the component properties through cooperation between the public and private sectors. In addition to this, initiatives have been taken to disseminate information about other heritage sites under the Japanese Heritage designation "Kakaa Tenka - Gunma's Silk Story" and to establish a registration system for Gunma Silk Heritage. Efforts have also been made to promote the silk industry within the prefecture and to engage in educational activities that convey silk culture.
Currently, however, sericulture is only practiced in small-scale production areas, primarily in the Tohoku and Kanto regions. Even in Gunma Prefecture, which maintains the top position nationwide for cocoon and raw silk production, the memories and heritage of sericulture, silk reeling and weaving are rapidly being lost. The number of sericulture farms, which peaked at around 2.2 million nationwide in the early Showa period (late 1920s), drastically decreased to 393 nationwide and 140 in the prefecture by 2014, and dwindled further to 146 nationwide and 55 in the prefecture by 2023.
30 Years Since the Nara Document
2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the World Cultural Heritage Nara Conference, held in 1994. Its outcome, the Nara Document, was received as an international declaration that addressed the need to respect the diversity of culture and heritage in contemporary society. A decade later, in 2004, the Yamato Declaration was adopted, emphasizing the necessity of developing an integrated approach that is mutually beneficial and complementary for both tangible and intangible cultural heritages. This approach considers the interdependence and the differences of these kinds of heritage.
When the "Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites" was inscribed in 2014, the number of World Heritage sites was approaching 1,000. By that time, heritage had become increasingly diverse, and the involvement of local communities in its management had gained greater importance. In that same year, experts from five regions of the world met again in Japan. The outcome, "NARA+20", proposed that the authenticity of World Heritage in relation to society needs to be continuously explored from five perspectives: protection, value, stakeholders, consensus-building, and sustainable development.
As technologies, economies and our ways of working and living change, how should a World Heritage site associated with the rise and fall of an industry be preserved in a way that benefits the local community and humanity? Ten years after its inscription, the challenges faced by the "Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites" regarding authenticity reflect the challenges that many World Heritage sites worldwide are encountering.
Ⅱ. Purpose of the Symposium
We live in a socio-economic environment different from the era in which these heritages were created. Nevertheless, heritage serves as a source and treasure trove of past information, providing inspiration for the present and the future. Therefore, as we look ahead, we must address the universal challenge of authenticity. This entails maintaining the characteristics and qualities of heritage while allowing local communities to add various kinds of value—economic, social, cultural, environmental, educational, and technical—in order to achieve sustainability.
This symposium aims to explore the challenges we face by using the World Heritage site "Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites" as a case study, focusing on the concept of a heritage ecosystem. A heritage ecosystem is understood to encompass the cyclical and organic relationships among various elements that constitute the rich cultural and natural environment of the region, and that are connected to the heritage. We will discuss the directions, goals and strategies to simultaneously achieve the protection of the "Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites" as a World Heritage site and promote regional development in related areas within the prefecture.
Additionally, by drawing on related cases and insights from around the world presented at this conference, we aim to formulate guidelines for the next ten years of the "Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites" and ultimately announce the "Gunma Declaration" (tentative title) with a global perspective.
Ⅲ. Framework for Discussion
In the context of changing socio-economic systems, global environmental shifts, and rapid advances in science and technology, how can we form, cultivate and sustain a heritage ecosystem that addresses the challenges of authenticity mentioned above? This symposium will focus on the current situation of and that challenges faced by the "Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites." It will address the intersecting issues of heritage, local communities and sustainable development. We will conduct themed sessions based on the following four themes:
Themes for Discussion
- Preservation and Management of Modern Buildings and Industrial Heritage
- Mechanisms and Systems of the Heritage Ecosystem
- Formation and Role of Heritage Communities
- Technology and the Future of Heritage
During the plenary discussion, we will integrate the outcomes of each sub-themed session to examine strategies, challenges, monitoring and evaluation for sustaining the heritage ecosystem.
【1】Preservation and Management of Modern Buildings and Industrial Heritage
The core of the heritage ecosystem is the heritage itself. In the preservation and repair project of the National Treasure (Building) Tomioka Silk Mill's West Cocoon Warehouse, completed in 2020, advanced technologies were applied to integrate preservation, disaster prevention, public access and utilization. Many important buildings at the Tomioka Silk Mill are still awaiting preservation, repair and adaptive reuse. What is the current state of preservation and management of modern buildings and industrial heritage in other countries? What challenges do they face, and how are these challenges being addressed? It is essential to gather global insights and examine the following key issues in order to inform future efforts:
Key Issues:
- Preservation and replacement of materials that demonstrate historical characteristics
- Adaptive reuse of heritage that no longer serves its original function
- Compliance with today’s standards and requirements related to comfort, safety and hygiene
- Preservation and transmission of physically fragile heritage
- Discovery and transmission of intangible aspects (memories, stories, etc.)
- Other inherent values
【2】Mechanisms and Systems of the Heritage Ecosystem
The heritage ecosystem is a developing concept. In Gunma Prefecture, efforts have been made to honor and promote not only the World Heritage sites but also various tangible and intangible silk industry-related heritage, thereby planting the seeds of the heritage ecosystem in many places. Moving forward, it is essential to reveal the multifaceted functions and roles that these heritages have played. Additionally, we need to be aware of the impacts of external factors and recognize that a greater number of people and organizations are now stakeholders. It is desirable to contribute to the formation and expansion of the heritage ecosystem. By examining domestic and international cases, we should aim to enhance the mechanisms and systems. The following key issues will guide our discussions:
Key Issues:
- World Heritage sites and the various tangible and intangible heritage surrounding them
- Heritage and ecology (planetary fitness, biodiversity, intersection of nature and culture, etc.)
- Various actors involved in the heritage ecosystem
- Supporting industries of the heritage ecosystem and their development
- Cost-sharing for sustaining and transmitting the heritage ecosystem
- Management of changes and transmission of values in the heritage ecosystem
- Collaboration among industry, academia, private sector and government in the heritage ecosystem
- The relationship between environmental protection and heritage preservation
【3】Formation and Role of Heritage Communities
The community is a core element of the heritage ecosystem, alongside the heritage itself. Building a heritage ecosystem for the preservation of the "Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites" involves numerous people and organizations, and startups centered on silk are emerging. Amid diverse perspectives, rights and values, it is essential to form, expand and develop communities that can achieve consensus-building and collaborative cooperation for the sustainable development of heritage and the region. To achieve this, we must consider the following key issues, guided by domestic and international examples:
Key Issues:
- Transmission of traditional management and preservation methods
- Adjustment of differing values
- Expansion, development and collaboration of actors contributing to the formation and growth of heritage communities
- Mechanisms to support the formation and development of heritage communities
- Decision-making processes in heritage management
【4】Technology and the Future of Heritage
Technological exchange and innovation are crucial not only for understanding the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the "Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites" but also for considering its future preservation. Some kinds of technology hold potential to support the future of the heritage ecosystem. By examining the progress and application of cutting-edge digital technologies, we can expand the possibilities for the future of heritage and enhance the heritage ecosystem. The following key issues will guide our discussions:
Key Issues:
- Significance, potential, risks and challenges of utilizing advanced technologies
- Preservation and utilization of modern buildings and industrial heritage with digital technology
- Application of technology in the heritage ecosystem
- Use of digital technology in heritage communities (inclusiveness, accessibility, etc.)
- Virtual and real authenticity (VR, AR, etc.)
- Authenticity in the era of generative technologies (AI)