I went to the Japan Heritage Certification Symposium on “Date Culture Cultivated by Masamune”!

March 20, 2017.
On this day, a symposium was held at the Sendai International Center to promote the 450th anniversary of Masamune Date's birth and to commemorate the recognition of the ``Date'' culture nurtured by Masamune, which was recognized as a Japan Heritage site in 2016.
This time, we will send you the report of this symposium!

What is Japanese Heritage?

What exactly is Japan Heritage?
Japan Heritage refers to stories that tell the historical and cultural charm of each region, certified by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
The major difference between World Heritage Sites and Important Cultural Properties is that they are not intended for protection or preservation.
The purpose of Japan Heritage is an evolving project that promotes the region and Japan by disseminating information both domestically and internationally.

Therefore, just because a building is historically valuable does not qualify it as a Japan Heritage Site.
What is important is how interesting and interesting the story is.
In 2016, it was recognized as a Japan Heritage Site, and
what kind of story does it tell us about the ``date'' culture fostered by Masamune?

Date Masamune 450th Anniversary Promotion

Prior to the Japan Heritage Certification Commemoration Symposium, a kick-off ceremony was held to promote the 450th anniversary of Masamune Date's birth, an event to enliven Miyagi Prefecture in 2017.

The year 2017 marks the 450th anniversary of the birth of Date Masamune.
In this commemorative year, the purpose of this commemorative promotion is to refocus on Date Masamune's many achievements and to spread the charm of Miyagi to the whole country.

The number of projects currently announced is 25.
There is a possibility that this number will continue to increase in the future.
As a citizen of Miyagi Prefecture, I would also like to contribute through PR through web media!

In addition to representatives from each local government in Miyagi Prefecture, the ceremony also included Miyagi Prefecture's leading tourism PR unit, Date Bushotai, and Miyagi Tourism PR section manager Musubimaru.
The Date Bushotai's dance greatly excited the venue.
The ceremony ended with a triumphant battle cry by Date Masamune of the Date Bushotai.

Japanese Heritage Certification Commemoration Symposium

What followed was the Japan Heritage Certification Commemoration Symposium.
Following the opening declaration, a performance of the Miyagi Prefecture-designated Intangible Cultural Property "Osawa Rice Planting Dance" and a video introducing the story of the "Date" culture nurtured by Masamune were held. I was able to get a glimpse of a part of the culture.

The next thing that started was the talk show that I was looking forward to the most.
Titled ``Discussing the charm of Japan's heritage ``Date culture cultivated by Masamune,'' this is a corner where we will discuss all the fascinating cultural properties created by Date Masamune.

The performers include Kenichi Sato, former director of the Sendai City Museum, Shingo Murakami, the actor who played the role of Kanetsugu Naoe in the historical drama "Sanada Maru," Eri Kohinata, an idol who loves history, and a cultural property protection official from the Miyagi Prefecture Education Agency. We welcomed Akihiro Yamada, the section manager, and talked about the historical appeal from various aspects.

During the show, Murakami recited a song written by Date Masamune using his cool voice, and it was so cool that he had to read it twice, and Eri Kohinata suddenly got upset after being called out about Touken Ranbu, among other incidents (?) However, it provided an easy-to-understand explanation of ways to enjoy cultural properties related to the Masamune temple, such as Osaki Hachimangu Shrine and Zuiganji Temple.
No, but it was a really good voice.

What left an impression on me was the new way to enjoy Osaki Hachimangu Shrine.
I learned that you can discover new ways to enjoy things by visiting places such as ``Osaki Hachiman Shrine in the rain'' and ``Osaki Hachiman Shrine in the morning'' under conditions that you would not normally visit.

In the panel discussion that followed, representatives from each local government gave presentations on how Japan Heritage designation would change the area.

Hiromitsu Okoshi, Superintendent of the Sendai City Board of Education, announced that he will communicate the appeal of Date Masamune as a warrior, cultural figure, and ruler in a multifaceted manner to everyone from children to the general public.
Other local governments also stated that they would like to communicate new appeals that focus on the relationship between the Sendai Domain and the local community.

participate in the event

To be honest, I was worried that it would be a serious symposium and that I would get sleepy at worst, but it turned out to be a meaningful event that allowed me to discover new charms of historical and cultural properties that I had never known before.
It's possible to revisit a place you've visited several times and see it from a more advanced perspective.

From now on, a number of Date Masamune-related events will be held in Miyagi Prefecture.
If you live in Miyagi Prefecture, please come and visit us once.
I'm sure you'll be interested!

Also, even if you don't live in Miyagi Prefecture, please come to Miyagi Prefecture to enjoy the "date" culture!
A story certified as a Japanese heritage is waiting for you!

INFORMATION