Heritage Alert: The Administration Building at the Izumo Shrine, Shimane, Japan

The ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Twentieth Century Heritage (ICOMOS ISC20C), has expressed its concern about the alarming situation now facing the Administration Building at the Izumo Shrine, in Shimane, Japan.

The ICOMOS ISC20C believes that a solution to the Shrine Administration building's problem could also be found if given further expert assessment. The Committee has strongly encouraged Shrine authorities to seek a positive conservation outcome for this item of Japan's modern heritage. The enduring architectural significance of the building has also been recognized by heritage authorities such as Docomomo Japan, which in 2005, identified the Administration Building of the Great Shrine of Izumo as one of the 100 most important buildings representing modern architecture in Japan. The architectural and artistic merit of the building, as well as its historical significance is uncontested, however the building has not yet been well documented. The ICOMOS ISC20C has asked that the Shrine seek an improved technical solution to the problem that would allow the building to remain and continue in a useful purpose for the Shrine.

Download the press release in English

Download the press release in Japanese

Download the letter from DOCOMOMO Japan in English

Download the letter from the Society of Architectural Historians

Download the letter from Mark Mulligan, Associate Professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Design 

Image: The Administration Building, Izumo Shrine, Shimane, Japan @ ICOMOS ISC20C