Exploring Asian Cultural Heritage: The Legacy of Tangible Heritage

On October 11th, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Rissho University will host a public lecture at the Ishibashi Tansan Memorial Hall on its Shinagawa campus. This event continues the university's annual tradition of the Buddhist Cultural Public Lecture, aimed at widely sharing the philosophy, history, and culture of Buddhism with society.

The overarching theme for the Buddhist Cultural Public Lecture of the fiscal year 2023 is "Asian Cultural Heritage—Preserving the Tangible". The event will be divided into two parts. In the first part, attendees will participate in the 744th commemorative ceremony for Saint Nichiren. The second part will feature a keynote lecture by Professor Takehira Nakagawa, who has made significant contributions to comparative architectural history and the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage buildings.

Following the keynote, there will be a panel discussion involving experts from various fields. Joining Professor Nakagawa will be Associate Professor K Atsushi Sato from Musashino University, who specializes in architectural history and urban preservation in Southeast and South Asia. Furthermore, Professor Yufuko Fukuroi will present her research on Buddhist art history in South India, following her meticulous field studies. Completing the panel, Associate Professor Makiko Kubo, an expert in Southeast Asian art history within the university's Buddhist Studies Department will moderate the discussion.

During this public lecture, the speakers will discuss their experiences and exchange ideas on how to collaborate with local communities and research institutions. They will aim to introduce various examples of dialogue between the historical and religious perspectives woven within these regions and academic research. Everyone is warmly invited to participate in this insightful event.

Event Schedule:

- Part 1: The 744th Commemorative Ceremony of Saint Nichiren

Leader: Masayuki Ikoma (Chairman of Rissho University)

- Part 2: Public Lecture

1. Keynote Speech: "Research and Preservation Activities on Asian Cultural Heritage"
Speaker: Takahira Nakagawa (Leader of the Japanese Government’s Angkor Archaeological Rescue Team, Emeritus Professor at Waseda University)
2. Panel Discussion: "Cultural Heritage and Local Communities—Efforts to Preserve the Tangible"
Panelists:
- Takahira Nakagawa
- Atsushi Sato (Associate Professor, Musashino University)
- Yufuko Fukuroi (Researcher, Nakamura Hajime Institute of Eastern Studies)
Coordinator: Makiko Kubo (Associate Professor, Rissho University)