ABSTRACT
Understanding Japanese culture presupposes an in-depth knowledge of its history. A closed country that lacked international contact until the mid-19th century, Japan imposed a form of cultural development that is often difficult to transmit in a Western context.
Following the Tokugawa Shogunate (1603–1867), the subsequent Meiji Restoration (1867–1912) began an important period, with the reawakening of international relations and, therefore, encounters with other cultures. However, it should not be forgotten that from 500 AD Asuka Period (538–710) an interesting syncretism between Shinto and Buddhism, originating from India, characterized the development of cultural heritage and its policies, which were updated as early as 1871 by the young emperor Meiji.
This chapter, thanks to the support of public and private institutions, of the citizens, and of professors of different universities in Japan, describes the experiences of urban heritage realized in the cities of Kyoto and Osaka. Kyoto is today a cultural city, but was previously the ancient capital of Japan from 794 (Heian period) until 1867 when, at the beginning of the Meiji period (1868–1912), Tokyo (literally “Eastern Capital”) was made the new capital (Fiévé, 2008). Osaka was Japan’s industrial capital but, in recent years, with the process of deindustrialization, the municipality has worked to realize cultural regeneration and to give the city a new image.
This contribution will introduce different approaches to a participative project for the conservation of cultural heritage. From the late 19th century in Japan cultural policy has been very close to citizens and educates communities to respect their heritage. Thus, the main aim is to present the cultural approaches towards the accessibility and securitization of cultural heritage in Japan through practices realized in Kyoto and Osaka, two international cities that, in recent years and with the co-operation of their citizens, have demonstrated great capacities in projects that valorize their cultural inheritance.
