Sacred Places, Pilgrimage, and Tourism - Geography of Religion in Japan: Religious Space, Landscape, and Behavior - page 169

4.2.5 Meaning of Registration as a World Heritage Site

Registration as a World Heritage site requires not only the judgment that an indi-
vidual cultural heritage site has universal value, but also the cooperation of national
and local governments to ensure that the site can be preserved. In Nagasaki, Gunkan-
jima is also a World Heritage site candidate, but because of the principle of the sepa-
ration of religion from politics, government agencies were not always considered
able to positively promote the Nagasaki Church Group as a World Heritage site
candidate. However, when registration on the tentative list was agreed, government
agencies became supportive. For example, in response to an offi cial recommenda-
tion for registration on the tentative list, the Nagasaki-Prefectural Board of Education
sponsored a symposium by the Nagasaki Church Group and Christian-Related
Culture Assets in February of 2007. Although I expect more support for registration
as a World Heritage site, other people may have a different view of religious local
cultures used as cultural property or heritage.
A proposal submitted to the Agency for Cultural Affairs in November of 2006 made
several points on the universal value of the church group (Nagasaki Prefecture 2006 ).

1. The Nagasaki Church Group and its relevant assets are symbols of sublime spiri-
tuality, freedom from persecution, and the joy of the comeback of the church.
The group presents a unique history of a dramatic revival from long-term con-
cealment never seen before in the history of the world. The churches, which are
usually small, are distributed in remote areas, where Christians had to conceal
themselves to avoid persecution and continue their faith. The churches reveal
how people devoted property and labor to their faith despite poverty.
2. The Church Group and its relevant assets are closely related to the distinctive
natural terrain of the area. This area is partly designated a national park and needs
to be in harmony with the village landscape. The churches were established on
land facing a cove and on upland slopes, by people who lived by farming and
fi shing, and the excellent cultural landscape supported the lives and spirits of
local residents during long-term concealment.

3. The Nagasaki Church Group belongs to Gothic Revival Architecture. This style
was a global trend when the churches were built. Building was supervised by
foreign missionaries who brought the styles and techniques of the West melded
with traditional techniques of Japanese master carpenters such as Yosuke
Tetsukawa. The various developments can be seen where the architectural cul-
ture of the West and that of the East were superbly blended together and a high-
level of molding and design achieved. The churches also display regional
characteristics; for example, a camellia pattern is used in the interior ornamenta-
tion of one church. In this sense, the buildings are part of a globally rare and
distinctive construction group heritage.

These three considerations refl ect the local culture: (1) globally rare distinctive
religious history, (2) cultural landscape that the local fudo created, and (3) original
religious buildings completed in a blend of Eastern and Western cultures. These