Shared Underwater Cultural Heritage of Japan and the Netherlands: Continuing the Search for the Kanrin-maru in 2019
Dublin Core
Title
Shared Underwater Cultural Heritage of Japan and the Netherlands: Continuing the Search for the Kanrin-maru in 2019
Description
In November 2019, the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology (TUMSAT) and the International Programme for Maritime Heritage of the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE) continue their joint research on the shared cultural heritage surrounding the Kanrin-maru, a warship built in the Netherlands and delivered to the Japanese government in 1857. It wrecked in Hokkaido in 1871 and has been lost since. The collaboration between the RCE and TUMSAT was established to commemorate the shared cultural heritage of Japan and the Netherlands. Previous joint efforts included a significance assessment in 2017 and a dive survey in 2018.
While a shipwreck has yet to be found, continuation of the search has garnered wide support from important stakeholders including two distinct societies. Furthermore, intangible aspects of the Kanrin-maru heritage proved to be just as important to the communities involved, as testified by the stories that are still going around. This called for continuation to preserve this heritage. The project will therefore encompass two approaches to answer the main research question how could the tangible and intangible heritage related to the Kanrin-maru be sustainably preserved. To this end, a marine geophysical survey is to be conducted in search of wreckage material at a specific target location thought to be most promising during the dive survey. Concurrently, oral information will be collected in order to bring to light the stories and multivocality attached to the Kanrin-maru heritage. This could provide insights in how tangible and intangible heritage is valued differently in different parts of the world. Such an integral approach may enhance the protection and valorisation of underwater cultural heritage and its role in society. The project will furthermore involve Japanese and Dutch researchers, as well as Japanese maritime archaeology students and volunteers to allow for knowledge exchange and capacity building.
While a shipwreck has yet to be found, continuation of the search has garnered wide support from important stakeholders including two distinct societies. Furthermore, intangible aspects of the Kanrin-maru heritage proved to be just as important to the communities involved, as testified by the stories that are still going around. This called for continuation to preserve this heritage. The project will therefore encompass two approaches to answer the main research question how could the tangible and intangible heritage related to the Kanrin-maru be sustainably preserved. To this end, a marine geophysical survey is to be conducted in search of wreckage material at a specific target location thought to be most promising during the dive survey. Concurrently, oral information will be collected in order to bring to light the stories and multivocality attached to the Kanrin-maru heritage. This could provide insights in how tangible and intangible heritage is valued differently in different parts of the world. Such an integral approach may enhance the protection and valorisation of underwater cultural heritage and its role in society. The project will furthermore involve Japanese and Dutch researchers, as well as Japanese maritime archaeology students and volunteers to allow for knowledge exchange and capacity building.
Creator
Leon Derksen
Akifumi Iwabuchi
Publisher
The Museum of Underwater Archaeology
Date
November 2021
Language
English
Bibliographic Citation
Derksen, Leon, and Akifumi Iwabuchi. 2021. “Shared Underwater Cultural Heritage of Japan and the Netherlands:
Continuing the Search for the Kanrin-maru in 2019.” Edited by Brian Fahy, Hans Van Tilburg, Bill Jeffery, T. Kurt
Knoerl, and Riley Smith. In Proceedings of Fourth Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Underwater Cultural Heritage:
Keelung,Taiwan, and Virtual, November 1-5, 2021. The Museum of Underwater Archaeology URL:
https://apconf-much.org/proceedings/exhibits/show/apconf-muchproceedings/item/668
Continuing the Search for the Kanrin-maru in 2019.” Edited by Brian Fahy, Hans Van Tilburg, Bill Jeffery, T. Kurt
Knoerl, and Riley Smith. In Proceedings of Fourth Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Underwater Cultural Heritage:
Keelung,Taiwan, and Virtual, November 1-5, 2021. The Museum of Underwater Archaeology URL:
https://apconf-much.org/proceedings/exhibits/show/apconf-muchproceedings/item/668
Rights Holder
Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Underwater Cultural Heritage
Files
Citation
Leon Derksen
and Akifumi Iwabuchi, “Shared Underwater Cultural Heritage of Japan and the Netherlands: Continuing the Search for the Kanrin-maru in 2019,” APCONF-MUCH Proceedings Recently Added Items, accessed October 24, 2026, https://apconf-much.org/proceedings/items/show/668.