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

March 20th, 2017,
a symposium was held at the Sendai International Center to celebrate the 450th anniversary of Date Masamune's birth and the recognition of the "Date Culture Developed by Masamune" as a Japan Heritage Site in 2016. Here's
a report from the symposium!

What is Japan Heritage?

First of all, what is Japan Heritage?
Japan Heritage is a story that tells the historical and cultural charm of each region and has been certified by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
The big difference between World Heritage and Important Cultural Properties is that the purpose is not protection or preservation.
The purpose of Japan Heritage is a development-type project that promotes the region and Japan by communicating it both domestically and internationally.

For this reason, simply being a historically valuable building is not enough to be recognized as a Japan Heritage Site.
What is important is how interesting and captivating the story behind it is.
In 2016, "The 'Date' Culture Developed by Masamune" was recognized as a Japan Heritage Site.
What kind of story will it tell us?

Date Masamune 450th Anniversary Promotion

Prior to the symposium commemorating the Japan Heritage designation, a kick-off ceremony was held to promote the 450th anniversary of the birth of Date Masamune, an event aimed at livening up Miyagi Prefecture in 2017

The year 2017 marks 450 years since the birth of Date Masamune.
In this memorable year, the purpose of this commemorative promotion is to once again focus on the many achievements of Date Masamune and spread the appeal of Miyagi throughout the country.

There are currently 25 projects announced
, and there is a possibility that this number will continue to increase.
As a resident of Miyagi Prefecture, I would like to contribute by promoting the project through online media!

In addition to representatives from each local government in Miyagi Prefecture, the ceremony was also attended by Miyagi Prefecture's tourism PR unit, the Date Bushotai, and Miyagi Tourism PR Section Chief Musubimaru. The
Date Bushotai's dance performance greatly excited the audience.
The ceremony ended on a high note with a victory cry by Date Masamune from the Date Bushotai.

Japan Heritage Certification Commemorative Symposium

Next was the Japan Heritage Designation Commemorative Symposium.
Following the opening speech, there was a performance of the Miyagi Prefecture designated intangible cultural property "Osawa no Taue Odori" and a screening of a video introducing the story of "Date culture nurtured by Masamune," giving the audience a glimpse of Date culture.

Next up was the talk show I was most looking forward to. The talk
was titled "Discussing the appeal of the Japanese Heritage 'Date Culture' Developed by Masamune," and was a segment where they talked in detail about the fascinating cultural assets that Date Masamune created.

The guests included Kenichi Sato, former director of the Sendai City Museum, actor Shingo Murakami, who played the role of Naoe Kanetsugu in the historical drama "Sanada Maru," history-loving idol Eri Kohinata, and Akihiro Yamada, head of the Cultural Properties Protection Division of the Miyagi Prefectural Board of Education, and they discussed the historical appeal of the area from various perspectives

At one point, Murakami recited a poem by Date Masamune in his beautiful voice, but it was so good that he had to recite it twice, and Kohinata Eri was suddenly asked about Touken Ranbu, which made her flustered. However, the presentation clearly introduced ways to enjoy cultural properties related to Masamune, such as Osaki Hachimangu Shrine and Zuiganji Temple, to the fullest.
What a wonderful voice, though.

What made the biggest impression on me was the new ways to enjoy Osaki Hachimangu Shrine. I learned that
by visiting under unusual conditions, such as "Osaki Hachimangu Shrine in the rain" or "Osaki Hachimangu Shrine in the morning," you can discover new ways to enjoy the shrine.

In the panel discussion that followed, representatives from each local government gave presentations on how they expect the Japan Heritage designation to change their region

Hiromitsu Okoshi, Superintendent of the Sendai City Board of Education, announced that they will promote Date Masamune's appeal as a warrior, intellectual, and ruler from various angles, targeting everyone from children to the general public. He also stated that
other local governments would like to promote new attractions that focus on the relationship between the Sendai domain and the local area.

Participate in the event

To be honest, I was worried that this would be a serious symposium and that I might fall asleep at worst, but it turned out to be a meaningful event where I was able to discover new charms in historical and cultural properties that I hadn't known about before. I think I
'll be able to visit places I've been to several times again and look at them from a more advanced perspective.

From now on, Miyagi Prefecture will be hosting a number of Date Masamune-related events.
If you live in Miyagi Prefecture, be sure to check them out.
I'm sure you'll find yourself becoming more interested!

Even if you don't live in Miyagi Prefecture, please come to the prefecture to enjoy the "Date" culture!
The story certified as a Japan Heritage Site is waiting for you!

INFORMATION

Chimon

A thin-haired writer who loves traveling and laughter.
A nice guy who hides thinning hair by shaving his hair!
I will run north and south to make Tohoku smile with my writing!

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