Traditional Community-Based Disaster Management in World Heritage Site of Shirakawa Village

Abstract

People have been fighting disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and fire to protect their lives, houses, and villages. Since most of the houses in Japan are made of wood, preventive measures against fire are prioritized. Historical and cultural houses and buildings often attract people’s attention. However, more importantly, that cultural heritage can be understood to be the result of efforts by local residents who have been maintaining structures and handing down traditions and beliefs to protect these heritage sites over the generations. Shirakawa village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in an isolated, heavy-snow environment. It has a long history of protecting its traditional houses, which are made with thatched roofs that are vulnerable to fire. The people of this village have formed associations, such as the Residents’ Association (RA) and Fire Volunteer (FV) force, and undertaken several activities to keep social order and prepare for disaster and emergency. For this study, an interview survey and participatory observation were conducted with RA and FV members. The study revealed that people in the village have been sustaining their traditional organizations and activities in spite of modernization and socio-environmental changes. This chapter focuses on the processes and mechanisms that have been established by local organizations and activities to protect the Gassho-zukuri houses, which are prone to fire. It will also examine how those mechanisms were developed and how they have helped to increase the awareness of local residents of the need to sustain the houses and the heritage of the local community. The analysis revealed that many activities have been conducted on a daily basis by several organizations as duty of community laborer, resulting in the establishment of a multi-layered structure. The study also found an interrelation between activities and awareness/spirits. Hence, establishing mechanisms that involve all local residents has been a key to maintaining the village’s cultural heritage.