Routledge Sacred Heritage in Japan - Research on Museums & Heritage

Explore the complex relationship between Japanese religion and heritage preservation in this groundbreaking volume from Routledge. As the first book to explicitly connect these two fields, Sacred Heritage in Japan examines the consequences of rebranding places of worship and ritual practices as national culture. This research explores the impact of various designations, including tangible or intangible cultural properties and recent UNESCO World or Intangible Heritage status. By looking at how these labels change the way sites are managed and perceived, the book provides a deep look into the modern identity of Japanese sacred spaces. Drawing on primary ethnographic and historical research, the contributors analyze the different ways various actors negotiate and participate in heritage processes. This volume is an essential resource for those studying Asian museums, religious studies, and the evolution of cultural property management in Japan.