Heritage by any other name is still a treasure

It was the rainy season of slightly more than three centuries ago when haiku poet Matsuo Basho (1644-1694), who wrote "Oku no Hosomichi" (The Narrow Road to Oku), arrived at Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture, as part of his journey to the Tohoku region.

Hiraizumi is the site where the Oshu Fujiwara family briefly basked in glory during the 12th century and where the life of Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159-1189) ended. Basho described the transient prosperity of rulers in his famous haiku: "Natsukusa ya/ Tsuwamonodomo ga/ Yume no Ato (Summer grasses--Aftermath of soldiers' dreams)."

But a "modern dream" of the people of Hiraizumi has yet to come true. I am referring to their bid to have Chusonji temple and other cultural treasures listed as a World Heritage site.

A committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recently decided to postpone a decision on the registration of Hiraizumi.

Until now, all sites recommended by Japan have made the World Heritage list. Starting with Horyuji temple in Nara Prefecture, which was listed in 1993, a total of 14 sites have made the list up to the Iwami Ginzan silver mine in Shimane Prefecture, which was added last year.

This is the first time a site proposed by Japan has been rejected. Local officials and citizens are so disappointed that one person even said, "I feel like crying."

One might try to play down the significance of an endorsement by an international organization, but many people are susceptible to official seals of approval.

For example, one tends to feel greater respect when they stand before objects classified as a "national treasure" than they do before those designated as an "important cultural property." Recognition as a World Heritage site must be one of the most highly respected badges of honor. It is a sign of approval that is also appreciated outside Japan.

Be that as it may, people and objects are essentially the same whether they have been officially endorsed or not. This brings to mind the decision by novelist Natsume Soseki (1867-1916) to decline the government's offer to bestow a doctoral degree on him. I like the following comment he made at the time: "Up to now, I have lived as plain Natsume so-and-so and wish to keep on living as plain Natsume so-and-so."

So as not to shatter Hiraizumi's dream to become a World Heritage site, the Agency for Cultural Affairs is said to be preparing to apply for a listing again three years from now.

I hope the dream comes true. But based on my past visits to Chusonji and Motsuji temples, I personally think "plain Hiraizumi" is just as remarkable and attractive even without UNESCO's seal of approval.

--The Asahi Shimbun, July 9(IHT/Asahi: July 10,2008)