5:15 PM - 6:45 PM
[MZZ46-P19] The national important cultural landscape "Rural Landscape of the Ogata River and Ogata Basin" in the Oita Bungoono Geopark, Japan
Keywords:Oita Bungoono Geopark, cultural landscape, Ogata river, Ogata basin, rural landscape, cultural property
The Ogata basin along the Ogata river, and the adjacent Jikumaru area in the Oita Bungoono Geopark, have been designated as the "Rural Landscape of the Ogata River and Ogata Basin", and be selected as a national important cultural landscape in March, 2023. This landscape was created when rivers eroded the land covered by a pyroclastic flow caused by the huge eruption of Aso volcano about 90,000 years ago. Over time, a network of irrigation channels was developed on terraces and hills. It was established due to the expansion of paddy fields.
The elements that make up an important cultural landscape include several waterways that run through the region, as well as villages that were gathered on the mountain side of the waterways to expand the area of rice paddies, and villages that can be seen along the waterways. In addition to water drawing spots, stone bridges, and drawing water wheels, there are also waterfalls formed in the welded tuff of the Aso pyroclastic flow, and stone structures such as the Buddha statues and stone baths. Three of these, Harajiri Falls, Miyazako East and West Stone Buddhas, and Stone Bath at Tsujigawara, are also geopark sites.
Geoparks seek to uncover the relationship between the topography and geology that led to the creation of such landscapes, and the culture and people's activities that were nurtured there. On the other hand, cultural landscapes can be said to be about digging deeper into the history and historical background of how landscapes were formed, from the landscapes we are currently witnessing. The two are two sides of the same coin, and by bringing them together, it is believed that a deeper understanding of the fusion of nature and culture can be gained.
In the Oita Bungoono Geopark, the cultural properties section of Bungo-Ono City serves as part of the promotion council secretariat, with a geological expert working side-by-side with cultural property managers. Therefore, the geological expert has been able to be closely involved in phenomena related to history and culture, including cultural landscapes, and it has become possible to deepen the understanding of this cultural landscape. In the future, we would like to further strengthen the collaboration between geopark and cultural property administration, and further increase the value of both parties.
The elements that make up an important cultural landscape include several waterways that run through the region, as well as villages that were gathered on the mountain side of the waterways to expand the area of rice paddies, and villages that can be seen along the waterways. In addition to water drawing spots, stone bridges, and drawing water wheels, there are also waterfalls formed in the welded tuff of the Aso pyroclastic flow, and stone structures such as the Buddha statues and stone baths. Three of these, Harajiri Falls, Miyazako East and West Stone Buddhas, and Stone Bath at Tsujigawara, are also geopark sites.
Geoparks seek to uncover the relationship between the topography and geology that led to the creation of such landscapes, and the culture and people's activities that were nurtured there. On the other hand, cultural landscapes can be said to be about digging deeper into the history and historical background of how landscapes were formed, from the landscapes we are currently witnessing. The two are two sides of the same coin, and by bringing them together, it is believed that a deeper understanding of the fusion of nature and culture can be gained.
In the Oita Bungoono Geopark, the cultural properties section of Bungo-Ono City serves as part of the promotion council secretariat, with a geological expert working side-by-side with cultural property managers. Therefore, the geological expert has been able to be closely involved in phenomena related to history and culture, including cultural landscapes, and it has become possible to deepen the understanding of this cultural landscape. In the future, we would like to further strengthen the collaboration between geopark and cultural property administration, and further increase the value of both parties.