Send message to Author

Paper short abstract:

Examining UNESCO World Heritage Impact: Shikoku Henro Pilgrimage Case Study. Power dynamics, identity reformation, and heritage narratives.

Paper long abstract:

In November 1972, UNESCO adopted the Recommendation for Protecting Cultural and Natural Heritage at the National Level (UNESCO; 2023). By August 17, 2023, 1157 "properties" in 195 countries had been registered under this framework. While UNESCO's World Heritage program outlines its goals through the five pillars of Credibility, Conservation, Capacity-building, Communication, and Communities, research on World Heritage sites in Japan, notably by McGuire (2013), suggests that World Heritage status often functions as a branding strategy primarily benefiting cultural elites. This strategy is frequently related with efforts to promote tourism within regional revitalization initiatives.

An illustrative case is the 2004 inclusion of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route on the World Heritage list, which triggered a trend among sacred sites in Japan to seek this designation. Notably, the initiative to register the Shikoku Henro pilgrimage began in 2006 and is ongoing. Existing studies have illuminated numerous challenges linked to registering heritage sites in Japan. Nevertheless, a gap exists in the literature regarding how World Heritage inclusion shapes the reinterpretation of a site's history and identity, impacting various stakeholders.

This paper contends that, in the context of the Shikoku Henro pilgrimage, World Heritage status disproportionately favors specific actors. Furthermore, it can be employed by cultural elites to advance their perspectives on a particular space, often at the expense of alternative viewpoints. This study delves into the intricate dynamics and power struggles inherent in the World Heritage designation process, ultimately showcasing its role in molding the narratives and interests associated with heritage sites.