Table Of ContentLiving Tradition or Panda’s Cage?
R I I T TA ‘ R I ’ S A L A S T I E
Living Tradition or
Panda’s Cage?
AN A N A LY S I S O F T H E U R B A N C O N S E RVAT I O N I N K YOTO.
C A S E S T U DY : 3 5 YA M A H A KO N E I G H B O U R H O O D S
Academic Dissertation for the Degree of Doctor of
Technology to be presented with due permission for
public examination and debate, in Helsinki University
of Technology, Faculty of Architecture on the 21st of
August, 1999, at 12 noon.
H E L S I N K I U N I V E R S I T Y O F T E C H N O L O G Y, F I N L A N D 1 9 9 9
Copyright © 1999
Teknillisen korkeakoulun arkkitehtiosaston tutkimuksia
Helsinki 1999/16
Salastie Riitta ‘RI’, Living Tradition or Panda's Cage?
An Analysis of Urban Conservation in Kyoto.
Case Study: 35 Yamahoko Neighbourhoods.
Book design by Reetta Kyttä
Printed by Gummerus Kirjapaino Oy, Jyväskylä 1999
ISBN 951-22-4575-2
ISSN 1236-6013
Helsinki University of Technology
Department of Architecture
Otakaari 1, 02150 Espoo, Finland
Arkkitehtuurin historia. Väitöskirja.
Manuscript received 16. 2. 1997
Accepted 18. 5. 1999
Communicated by Professor Masafumi Yamasaki
and Professor Fred Thompson
HELSINKI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
Department of Architecture
To Mr. and Mrs. Sugiura
“Hmm, it’s excellent. The color harmony...fine. You’ve never drawn anything so novel before; nevertheless,
it’s restrained. Weaving it will be difficult. But, we’ll put our hearts into it and give it a try. The design
shows your daughter’s respect for her parents and her parents’ affection for their daughter.”
“Thank you. Nowadays, people would be quick to use an English word like ‘idea’ or ‘sense’. Even colors
are now referred to in faddish Western terms.”
“Those aren’t high-quality goods”.
“ I hate it that Western words have come into use. Haven’t there been splendidly elegant colors in Japan
since ancient times?”
“Even black has various subtle shadows,” Sosuke nodded.
“Yes, I was just thinking about that today. There are some obi makers like Izukura. They have a modern
factory in a four-story Western-style building. Nishijin will probably go the same way. They make five
hundred obis a day and soon the employees will be taking part in the company’s management. The
average age of the employees is in the twenties and thirties. Small house business like mine with hand
looms will probably disappear within twenty or thirty years.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“If one survived, wouldn’t it have to be under government sponsorship as an ‘Intangible Cultural Treasure’?
...Why, even a person like you, Sada, with your Klee or whatever...”
Yasunari Kawabata, The Old Capital. San Fransisco: North Point Press 1987 (1962).
9
Abstract
Salastie Riitta ‘RI’, Living Tradition or Panda's Cage? An Analysis of Urban Conservation in Kyoto.
Case Study: 35 Yamahoko Neighbourhoods.
Gummerus Kirjapaino Oy, Jyväskylä 1999. 306 Pages.
Teknillisen korkeakoulun arkkitehtiosaston tutkimuksia
Helsinki 1999/16
ISBN 951-22-4575-2, ISSN 1236-6013
The focus of the research is the city centre of Kyoto and there, the group of thirty-five hoko neighbourhoods
known for the organisation of the Gion Festival. At the present moment the wooden town heritage in the
area is threatened in a number of ways. Such threats are both the threatening effects of town planning as
well as the lack of appropriate urban conservation policies. Focusing on a few, selected landmarks and areas
has led to the compartmentalising of the city and to the failure of municipal authorities to identify culturally
dependent and place-oriented value-categories. In the process the heritage evaluation methods in use have
played more than a minor role.
The methodological approach taken in the thesis aims to an approach where the dwelling patterns and
cultural patterns are identified as an inseparable entity. Such an approach is especially important in Kyoto
where traditional townhouses were never just residential spaces but had important production and cultural
functions as well. Cultural values are analysed through the tradition of the Screen Festival. The wooden
townhouse context plays an important role as the scenic stage of the festival.
The interpretation of the Japanese context and its implications for urban conservation work are an
essential part of the research. The inter-relationship between the urban dwelling and the street and the
importance of place are defined as major cultural values to be focused on. The heritage argumentation
methods are seen as an important tool how to enhance cultural values and continuous use. On-site recording
is used as an important evaluation tool.
The author measured for the thesis approximately one hundred wooden facades of traditional townhouses
in the survey area. Furthermore, as a member of the Kyoto University research team the author participated
in an extensive field research during the Gion Festival in three following years, where all screen displays and
their urban settings were documented including more than 160 antique screens.
The conclusions of the thesis suggest that the wooden town heritage cannot be assessed through selected
(expert) values alone, but also other values and meanings must be taken into consideration. The wooden
town heritage is appreciated, not only because of its visual and historical characteristics but also because of
its capacity to hold cultural values and ways of life. Individual interpretations and cultural readings add to
10
the significance of place. The traditional display patterns are identified as key cultural values that should be
an essential part of heritage assessment work.
The conclusions of the research do not apply only to Kyoto but are closely related to the urban
conservation problems of wooden towns in general. Because of the fragility of the wooden town tradition
and the authenticity problems involved, the methodological approach should be paid special attention. The
wooden town heritage cannot be evaluated using same criteria as towns built in stone or brick. Changes
and alterations must be tolerated if any of the wooden town heritage is to be preserved. Social values,
cultural practices and individual interpretations should be added as an important element in the evaluation
practices of heritage.
Keywords: Japanese architecture, Kyoto, urban conservation, wooden town heritage, Gion Festival, Screen
Festival
