Evolving Cultural Landscape and Development of Modern Japan

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Evolving Cultural Landscape and Development of Modern Japan IKEGAYA, MAKOTO, M.A. Geographic Study of Historic Preservation: Evolving Cultural Landscape and Development of Modern Japan. (2013) Directed by Dr. Susan M. Walcott. 131 pp. The development of new architectural styles, infrastructure and construction materials in the Meiji period (1868-1912 CE), is tied to the creation of a modern Japanese identity. Despite recent developments toward preserving important historic property in Japan, many lesser known historical and vernacular sites continue to be ignored and have been ruined over time. An academic study of historic preservation is rare in Japan and in geography. The main purpose of this research is to clarify the role of historic preservation and to identify it with the rise of Japanese nationalism, economic development, and construction of the built environment during the pivotal Meiji period. The natural setting and history of Japan was examined and strategic plans for potential improvement in the field of Japanese historic preservation in the future are illustrated using case studies of the preservation projects of the Ise Jingu, Horyu-ji, the Tomioka Silk Mill, the Tokyo Station, and the Meiji Mura. Keywords: Built environment, cultural landscape, historic preservation, Meiji-Japan, national identity GEOGRAPHIC STUDY OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION: EVOLVING CULTURAL LANDSCAPE AND DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN JAPAN by Makoto Ikegaya A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of The Graduate School at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts Greensboro 2013 Approved by Committee Chair APPROVAL PAGE This thesis has been approved by the following committee of the Faculty of The Graduate School at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Committee Chair Susan M. Walcott Committee Members Keith Debbage Corey Johnson Date of Acceptance by Committee Date of Final Oral Examination ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES ...............................................................................................................v LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... vi CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................1 1.1. Overview ...............................................................................................1 1.2. Statement of the Problem and Hypothesis ............................................4 1.3. Theoretical Model .................................................................................4 1.4. Methodology: Literature Review ..........................................................9 II. HISTORIC PRESERVATION: KEY THEMES AND SIGNIFICANCE .........................................................11 2.1. Definition and Issues of Historical Preservation ................................11 2.1.1. Historic Preservation: Origin, Development and Issues .............16 2.1.2. A Case Study: Conflict between New and Old in Urban Areas .................................................24 2.1.3. Summary .....................................................................................25 III. MAJOR THEMES AND HISTORIC REVEW ...................................................27 3.1. Role of Natural Hazards in an Unstable Setting .................................27 3.1.1. Evolution of Building Technologies: Preventing Earthquake Damage .............................................27 3.1.2. Japan: Natural Environment ........................................................34 3.1.3. Earthquakes .................................................................................38 3.1.4. Summary of the Natural and Built Environment ........................42 3.2. Cultural attitude / belief systems: Shintoism and Buddhism ..............43 3.2.1. Shinto ..........................................................................................43 3.2.2. Shinto and the Meiji Restoration.................................................45 3.2.3. Wood: the Main Material for Japanese Architecture ..................47 3.2.4. Ise-Jingu ......................................................................................49 3.2.5. Another Temple Perspective: Horyu-ji .......................................53 3.2.6. Summary of Cultural Attitude and Belief System ......................56 3.3. Modernization as Westernization Adoption/Adaptation ....................57 3.3.1. The Emperor ...............................................................................59 iii 3.3.2. Historical Background ................................................................61 3.3.3. The Meiji Regime: the Process of Becoming a Modern Nation State ...........................................................63 3.4. National Identity Construction and Global City Image: Buildings as Examples ...................................................................67 3.4.1. Adaptation of Western Architecture ...........................................67 3.4.2. Architectural Difference between Edo and Meiji Period ..............................................................69 3.4.3. Josiah Condor: the Father of Modern Japanese Architecture .................................................72 3.4.4. Summary .....................................................................................79 IV. ECONOMIC MODERNIZATION AND IMPACTS ON ARCHITECTURE: THREE CASE STUDIES .............................................80 4.1. Expansion of the Economy: the Tomioka Silk Mill ...........................82 4.1.1. The Tomioka Silk Mill: Background ..........................................82 4.1.2. Significance of the Tomioka Silk Mill ........................................84 4.1.3. Issues of Preserving Tomioka Silk Mill ......................................89 4.1.4. Summary .....................................................................................90 4.2. Importance of Transportation: The Tokyo Railroad Station ...............91 4.2.1. The Tokyo Railroad Station: Background ..................................91 4.2.2. Historical Background: Meiji through World War II .................92 4.2.3. Restoration Efforts ......................................................................96 4.2.4. Summary ...................................................................................100 4.3. Mutuality of National Identity: the Meiji-mura ................................104 4.3.1. The Profile of Meiji-mura: “Greenfield Village” of Japan ..............................................104 4.3.2. Negative View toward Meiji-mura ...........................................109 4.3.3. Summary ...................................................................................111 V. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION ..................................................................113 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................119 APPENDIX A. GLOSSARY ...........................................................................................129 iv LIST OF TABLES Page Table 1. Cultural Properties in Japan ................................................................................14 Table 2. Buildings and Other Structures Designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties (as of April 1, 2011) ........................................15 Table 3. History of the Law Concerning Cultural Properties ............................................17 Table 4. Japanese History ..................................................................................................29 Table 5. Major Earthquakes after 1868 ..............................................................................40 Table 6. List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan .................................................54 Table 7. Japanese History: Edo-Meiji period ....................................................................58 Table 8. History of Tokyo Station .....................................................................................92 Table 9. History of Urban Improvement and Planning in Tokyo ......................................94 Table 10. List of Architecture in Meiji Mura (as of November 1, 2013) ........................104 v LIST OF FIGURES Page Figure 1. The Struggle of Huge Catfish Underground!! ....................................................28 Figure 2. Nuki ...................................................................................................................32 Figure 3. Sujikai .................................................................................................................32 Figure 4. Climate Regions of Japan ...................................................................................37 Figure 5. Pacific Ring of Fire ............................................................................................38 Figure 6. Major Earthquakes after 1868 ............................................................................41 Figure 7. Hinoki .................................................................................................................48 Figure 8. Ise-Jingu .............................................................................................................49 Figure 9. Horyu-ji ..............................................................................................................54 Figure 10. An Example of Hybrid Architecture: Foreigner's
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