Kansai University will host Asuka Village Mayor Yuichi Morikawa as a speaker at its "2026 Asuka History and Literature Lecture Series - Yamato, Asuka, Mahoroba School -" (14 sessions total), held at the Asuka Village Community Center on Sunday, July 12.

The content of the lecture is drawing attention as the inscription of "Palaces of Asuka and Fujiwara" as a World Heritage site is imminent.

Key Points of This Matter:

- Asuka Village Mayor Yuichi Morikawa to speak at the popular "Asuka History and Literature Lecture Series," which has been running for over half a century.

- With the inscription of "Palaces of Asuka and Fujiwara" as a World Cultural Heritage site approaching, the lecture content is highly anticipated.

- Kansai University has collaborated with Asuka Village for over 50 years, sparked by the discovery of the Takamatsuzuka Tomb.

"Palaces of Asuka and Fujiwara" has received a recommendation for World Heritage inscription from ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites), and its inscription is expected to be decided at the World Heritage Committee meeting starting July 19.

Scenes from the Venue

Our university has engaged in long-term exchange and collaboration with Asuka Village through historical and archaeological research in the Asuka region, including research on the Ishibutai Tomb. In particular, since the discovery of the murals in the Takamatsuzuka Tomb in 1972, this collaboration has deepened further, with many researchers and students involved in elucidating and disseminating the historical and cultural value of Asuka. One of the outcomes of this effort is the "Asuka History and Literature Lecture Series," which began in 1975. This year marks its 52nd year (over 500 sessions total), and approximately 110,000 people have attended to date.

On the 12th, Mayor Morikawa will give a lecture titled "Unraveling the Mysteries of Asuka - Gazing at the Candidate Sites for World Heritage Registration." Many of the 14 lectures in this series each year are given by archaeologists and historians, and the fact that the current village mayor is speaking at this time, just before the World Heritage inscription, makes it a valuable opportunity.

Outline of the 2026 52nd Asuka History and Literature Lecture Series - Yamato, Asuka, Mahoroba School -

Course Period: Sunday, April 12 - Sunday, March 7, 2027, 13:00 - 15:00 (14 sessions total)

Location: Asuka Village Community Center (91-1 Kawara, Asuka Village, Takaichi District, Nara Prefecture)

Capacity: 200 people

Target Audience: Anyone interested in history and culture, including the Asuka period.

Course Fee: Annual fee ¥5,000 (tax included); single lecture ¥1,000 (tax included).

* Free for Asuka Village residents, Kansai University students, and junior/senior high school students interested in this lecture series.

Inquiries regarding course registration:

Kansai University Education Support Association, Asuka History and Literature Lecture Series Section TEL: 06-6368-0055

Organizers: Kansai University Institute of Asuka History and Culture, Asuka Village Board of Education

Track Record for the Past 3 Years:

2025 Academic Year/2,018 participants, 2024 Academic Year/1,929 participants, 2023 Academic Year/1,826 participants (total number of attendees)

Event Details:

https://www.kansai-u.ac.jp/pa/event/asuka.html

End of Document

Details of this matter:

Kansai University Press Release

https://www.kansai-u.ac.jp/ja/assets/pdf/about/pr/press_release/2026/No16.pdf

For Media Inquiries:

If you wish to cover this story, please contact us at the inquiry address below.

Contact Information for this Matter:

General Planning Office, Public Relations Division

Ichiji, Kobayashi

Address: 3-3-35 Yamate-cho, Suita City, Osaka Prefecture

TEL: 06-6368-1937

FAX: 06-6368-1266

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: www.kansai-u.ac.jp

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Event
  • Organizations: ICOMOS