“Partnership for Education Support for Sustainable Island Development in the Amami Islands”
Archaeology Ishida Tomoko
- setouchi
- tatsugou
- kikai
- amagi
- isen
- amami
Background and objectives of activities
The aim of this project is to record and preserve the cultural heritage of Kagoshima Prefecture, and to consider ways of utilizing cultural heritage in community development. The Amami Islands in particular have a wealth of fascinating cultural heritage, but there are also places that are not well known, and there are materials and information that will be lost if they are not recorded and preserved. The project is conducting surveys using knowledge and research methods from archaeology and cultural anthropology, as well as initiatives to communicate the value and appeal of the cultural heritage of each region.
Summary of Activities
In order to consider ways of passing on the culture and history of the region to future generations, a joint workshop was held as part of a high school-university collaboration project with Koniya High School (Setouchi Town, Amami Oshima Island) to discuss ways of utilizing cultural heritage in future town planning. In order to learn about the impact of modern and contemporary wars and the rule of the US military government on the history and culture of the Amami Islands, we are conducting fieldwork to survey war ruins and interviewing people who experienced the war in Amami Oshima (Amami City, Tatsugo Town, Setouchi Town), Kikaijima (Kikai Town), and Tokunoshima (Amagi Town, Izen Town). We plan to continue to expand the scope of our research in the future.
Expected Benefits
By discovering and communicating new values and attractions in the region through the recording, preservation and utilization of cultural heritage on islands, it is hoped that this will contribute to education, tourism, town planning and other areas.