Okinoshima, Universal Heritage and Borders of Memory

Contestation over the spatial and temporal boundaries of heritage sites can reveal deeper political disputes. This study demonstrates that even relatively uncontroversial UNESCO World Heritage Site inscriptions, such as Japan's Sacred Island of Okinoshima in 2017, can expose conflicts between different scales of heritage governance. By analyzing an objection raised by South Korea during the inscription process and comparing it with other nominations, the research highlights how borders of memory shape the meanings attributed to sites at local, national, and international levels. The chapter underscores the political significance of these borders in contemporary heritage disputes, showing how institutional efforts to fix site meanings can channel narratives while also reflecting broader governance challenges.

Boyle, E. (2023). Okinoshima, Universal Heritage and Borders of Memory. Heritage, Contested Sites, and Borders of Memory in the Asia Pacific, 328–352. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004512986_014