Ecolex Logo
The gateway to
environmental law
Search results » Treaty decision

Inscription: Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara (Japan)

Document type
Decision
Reference number
VIII.B.1
Date
Nov 30, 1998
Source
UNEP, InforMEA
Status
Active
Subject
Wild species & ecosystems
Treaty
Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (Nov 23, 1972)
Meeting
22e session du Comité
Website
whc.unesco.org
Abstract

Property: Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara

Id. N°: 870

State Party: Japan

Criteria: C(ii)(iii)(iv)(vi)

The Committee inscribed the property on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii), (iii) and (iv) and added criterion (vi):

Criterion (ii): The historic monuments of ancient Nara bear exceptional witness to the evolution of Japanese architecture and art as a result of cultural links with China and Korea which were to have a profound influence on future developments.

Criterion (iii): The flowering of Japanese culture during the period when Nara was the capital is uniquely demonstrated by its architectural heritage.

Criterion (iv): The layout of the Imperial Palace and the design of the surviving monuments in Nara are outstanding examples of the architecture and planning of early Asian capital cities.

Criterion (vi): The Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines of Nara demonstrate the continuing spiritual power and influence of these religions in an exceptional manner.

The Delegate of Thailand proposed the inscription of this site on the basis of criterion (vi) as well as the other three. Following on other situations in which criterion (vi) was applied, the Committee by consensus agreed that in this case the use of criterion (vi), in combination with the other criteria, was fully justified.