UNESCO and Asuka

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William Farris

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Aug 21, 2025, 8:25:18 PMAug 21
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Hi folks:
          I thought that I'd let you know that UNESCO has asked me to write a document to support designating Asuka/Fujiwara-kyo as a World Heritage Site.  I am so glad that Asuka/Fujiwara-kyo has been recognized in this important way and to have been chosen to do this!
          If any of you have any ideas about what I should include, pls feel free to opine.  The general tenor of the document is to provide reasons that Asuka/Fujiwara-kyo is important for world history/culture and also regional history/culture.
Sincerely,
William Wayne Farris

jan goodwin

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Aug 22, 2025, 3:16:23 PMAug 22
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Wayne,

You might take a look at Donald McCallum, The Four Great Temples, Hawaii 2009, which includes extensive discussions of Asukadera and Kawaradera, based on archaeological evidence.  

Jan Goodwin

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Cynthea Bogel

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Aug 25, 2025, 1:37:29 PMAug 25
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William Farris

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Aug 25, 2025, 1:40:07 PMAug 25
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Jan:
          Yes, I know the book, although I don't have access to it.
          I was asked by a French NGO titled ICOMOS, the International Council on Monuments and Sites.  I think they are working with UNESCO.
          I have until October 6 and the form is only one page long, with 4 questions.  These questions point the author in the direction of evaluating Asuka/Fujiwara-kyo in terms of world history/culture and regional history/culture.  They said the replies run from 2 to 8 pages.  So I can do it quickly, after some pondering.
          So, for example, I think that the NGO is looking for a discussion of questions such as follows:  how does Asuka/Fujiwara-kyo fit into the development of ancient urban centers worldwide?  Or how does the literature of Asuka/Fujiwara-kyo fit into Japanese/East Asian/world literature?  What does the Buddhism of Asuka/Fujiwara-kyo have to say about the development of Buddhism in Japan/East Asia/the world?
          Any thoughts on these questions, especially the last?
Wayne

Tim Screech

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Aug 25, 2025, 1:40:15 PMAug 25
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Does everyone also know Wu Hong’s wonderful book Rethinking Asuka Sculpture. I don’t think it’s received the attention it deserves.
Please read it!
Timon Screech 

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