Chapter 5. Solutions of Diverse Participation among Residents in the Conservation
5.7. Summary
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5.6.4. Festival Stalls
Festivals at Japan’s archaeological sites abound with market stalls operated by local citizens and companies. At the Great Jomon Festival and seasonal Jomon festivals at the Sannai-maruyama site, stalls often sell agricultural products, while local food and drinks are sold at the Heijo-kyo Tenpyo Festival at the Nara Palace site.
Altogether, Section 5.6 has described how local organizations and companies at Japan’s archaeological sites create economic value. Whereas some generate economic benefits, others primarily generate memorable experiences for visitors. In any case, such businesses both enrich the use of archaeological sites and benefit local residents.
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Table 5.6 Main Approaches of Local Residents’ Participation in Archaeological Sites Participative Form Sannai-maruyama Site Goshono Site
General Situation Participation in Conservation
Yes, a large scale across Japan
Yes, universal scale in regional area
Participation in Utilization
Yes, most participants from Aomori City and a certain from other prefecture
Yes, most participants from Ichinohe Town
External propaganda
Volunteer Guides Yes, as a volunteer, since 1994;
Everyday
Yes, as a volunteer, since 2001;
Weekdays with reservation, holiday
Regular Experiential Activities
Yes, as an assistant Yes, as an assistant
House Restoration Yes, some people participate in several activities
Yes, citizens as central with supervision from experts by using local materials
Festival Yes, provide assistance Yes, provide assistance Lecture Yes, provide assistance
Cleaning Yes Yes, twice in spring and
autumn Museum Shop Yes, a small scale
Products Making Yes, a small scale
Publication Yes, in many languages Yes Gift Shop Operation Yes
Restaurant Operation Yes Internal Communication
Internal Study Meeting Yes Yes, such as ancient food Internal Research Trip Yes, field surveys of sites in the
town Internal Interest
Activities
Yes, such as photography
Participation of Local Students
Yes, frequent Yes, frequent, even establish a conservation group
Participation of Local Groups (No only for Site Conservation)
Yes Yes, various groups
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Although external publicity can indeed promote the popularity of archaeological sites, enhance their conservation and utilization, and engender pride of place among local residents due to recognition from outsiders, several points in the particular case of the Sannai-maruyama site warrant sustained attention.
First, extensive publicity and educational activities have been the site’s basis of conservation, and all organizations involved have put forth effort to spread knowledge of the Sannai-maruyama site via lectures, live presentations, and publications, among other forms of publicity.
Second, various participatory activities have drawn public attention to the site, including frequent festivals and regular experiential activities that have attracted recognition of Japan’s ancient culture or local culture in an enjoyable environment.
Third, the site’s internationalization has improved. In fact, most of the websites, pamphlets, and display boards are in four languages (Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean), videos in the museum have at times been in four languages (Japanese, English, Chinese, and Russian), and electronic and volunteer guides are available in both Japan and English. As a member of the Sannai-maruyama Jomon Information Association said, introductions to the site are well beyond national borders.
As noted, the situation of the Sannai-maruyama site is well-known by citizens in Aomori Prefecture. People interested in the site have a strong sense of identity that they actively seek to express, and local residents take great pride in their ancient civilization that contributed significantly to Japan’s history. Moreover, they emphasize that Jomon culture is part of not only Japanese civilization, but also the world’s civilization, as expressed in the motto of the Sannai-maruyama Jomon Information Association expresses:
“We are the future citizens of Sannai-maruyama26.” Sharing Jomon culture at the Sannai-maruyama site cannot be limited to Sannai, Aomori City, or even Aomori
26 わたしたちは、未来の三内丸山市民です。
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Prefecture, but should extend across Japan and the world.
Although external activities at Japan’s archaeological sites have significantly promoted site conservation and utilization, the organizations responsible cannot survive by simply appealing to visitors and outsiders. Internal communication is also vital to ensure that keeping the organizations running smoothly, as can be concluded from the case of the Goshono site.
On the one hand, the site’s various internal activities are hosted in response to members’
demands. For instance, the Goshono Site Supporting Society and Goshono Site Excavation Society organize activities of publishing a newsletter, studying Jomon food, conducting study meetings and field surveys, and producing photography. On the other hand, the activities have a close relationship with regional culture. The Nature and History Society, for example, conducts a field survey in the town, whereas the Goshono Site Conservation Cadet Corps aims to promote the public’s understanding of and pride in the site.
Furthermore, the re-creation of Jomon Satoyama at the Goshono site means to deepen interconnections between ancient culture and modern society.
The Goshono site has prioritized the internal communication of the people involved, which has allowed organizations to develop sustainably, even if the site’s popularity is far less than that of Sannai-maruyama. It also takes full advantage of local resources for regional development. Chapter 6 discusses the construction of regional culture in greater detail.
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