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Human-Nature Boundaries: Cultural Heritage, Landscape Ecology, and Healing in the Kumano Kodo
- 1 University of Westminster
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Abstract
The Kumano Kodo, an ancient pilgrimage route network in the Kii Peninsula of Japan, serves as a unique case study in the intersection of cultural heritage, landscape ecology, and human-nature relationships. This paper explores the dynamic interactions between human interventions and natural processes along the Kumano Kodo, highlighting how landscape ecology principles illustrate the blurred boundaries between nature and culture. The rewilding of the human-imposed structures, coupled with the restorative experiences of modern pilgrims, reinforces the notion of coexistence rather than dominance over nature. The findings support Turner’s theory of landscape dynamics and Morton’s assertion that the human-nature dichotomy is artificial, showing how human interventions and natural processes coalesce in a living landscape. The study also applies Kaplan’s Attention Restoration Theory to demonstrate the psychological benefits of engaging with cultural landscapes. However, the research is limited by its focus on a specific demographic of pilgrims and calls for more diverse methodologies in future studies. Broader data collection will offer deeper insights into the long-term psychological effects and cultural significance of such heritage sites.
Keywords
Kumano Kodo, cultural heritage, landscape ecology, psychological restoration, ecological resilience.
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Cite this article
Wang,Q. (2024). Human-Nature Boundaries: Cultural Heritage, Landscape Ecology, and Healing in the Kumano Kodo. Communications in Humanities Research,49,23-28.
Data availability
The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.
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Volume title: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Art, Design and Social Sciences
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