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Mr. Wanzhe Cui first came to Japan when he was a student at Beijing Normal University. He was sent here to study as a conference interpreter by the Chinese Government. Then he studied Japanese language at the Doshisha University's Graduate School. He gained a natural interest in Japan from a very young age owing to the close proximity of the two lands and cannot point to any one particular occasion that caused him to fall in love with the country.
Asked about his first impressions of the country, both from what he saw and felt, on arrival in Japan he said, "What first struck me was the enormous wealth and variety of information. Now, of course, thanks to the internet we can get information instantly anywhere in the world, including China, no matter where we are. But at that time it was very difficult to obtain information related to several different fields in my country. So I was most impressed by this environment that allowed me easy access to technical information around a broad range of fields."
He continued, "We can get information not only about Japan but also about any other country in the world. And thanks to that kind of information I think I was able to look at my country objectively, seeing both its good points and bad points, for the first time ever. In turn this meant that I came to like China more than ever, I feel."
A long time ago the capital of the Tang Dynasty, Changan, was a land where culture, goods and information from all over the world gathered in one place. Mr. Cui commented that he thinks this is akin to the present-day Japan which represents an accumulation of information and culture in Asia.
Observing that Japan has created an original culture out of the many things that resulted from close exchanges with China's Tang Dynasty, Mr. Cui feels strongly about the importance of cultural exchange between Japan and China today. His hope that many more people from China will visit Japan might well have been a reason guiding him to engage in his present job promoting the "Rekishi Kaido".
He went on to say, "A great deal of historical heritage and various cultural assets are concentrated in Kansai. These remain as traces of Japan's exchange with foreign countries and are very appealing to the foreign visitors who come to Japan." I thought it somewhat ironic for Mr. Cui to say that Japan's historical heritage is such a key attraction for Japan's inbound tourism because he is from China, a country that boasts several thousand years of history. But he also stressed that the opportunity to encounter historical heritage through wide ranging eras is a feature relatively unique to Kansai.
He continued, "China is certainly a long country with a long history but the history, in a sense, is a series of destructive episodes in which old cultures were destroyed and new cultures built on top of them. While in Japan, on the other hand, the country enjoyed cultural succession by which the better elements of earlier cultures and traditions were kept. Japan was able to continually produce new things through improving older things. It is wonderful that so many items from various past eras all remain within the same geographical area known as the Kansai.
" If we take a look at the main route of the "Rekishi Kaido", we find that it connects such a variety of places ranging from Ise, a place steeped in mythology, to Kobe, a place reminding us of the Meiji Era with its civilization and enlightenment, and through to a number of historical places. Mr. Cui told us, "When you follow the "Rekishi Kaido", you will find many traces of cultural exchange still remaining all around Kansai. They have become the tourism resources of today and, in themselves, created new exchange." He continued, "This is not just a phenomenon of the big cities like Kyoto and Osaka. It is also true of smaller villages. For example, Asukamura in Nara, has now become a rallying point for international exchange. Many people from China and Korea have visited Asukamura because of its ancient cultural heritage and enjoyed an exchange with the local people."
Mr. Cui often visits many places in Kansai for his work. He also regularly guides visitors from China to show them famous sightseeing spots. Kinkakuji Temple, Todaiji Temple and Himeji Castle are very popular historical and cultural destinations for visitors from China.
Asked about his own personal favorites, he answered, "I have so many favorite places that I cannot give you a short answer." Then he pointed out some places which only someone who has lived in Kansai for several years would think of noting. He said, "I enjoy strolling around markets like the one in Doguya Suji (Tool Street) and Kuromon Market. Markets in Japan are crammed full of fascinating goods being sold, including foodstuff. It is really great fun. I sometimes chat with the middle-aged women who run the stores and stalls and they often let me have a piece so I can try the taste." He also like Houzenji Yokocho in Osaka City and Nam-Demon Market in Ikuno Ward which has been built recently. These are all familiar places relating to the life of common people. He also said that finding new attractions peculiar to the land while visiting various areas in Kansai is very enjoyable.
He said, "The other day I went to Shingu City in Wakayama Prefecture. It is the town associated with the legend of Jyofuku who came all the way to Japan with the task of finding the elixir of perpetual youth and longevity from Shi Hangdi of Qinhuangdao. I found it very interesting to know that the town has been working to develop an identity in connection with the legend. It is a good example of cultural exchange that remains from the past but which have become tourism resources now." He continued, "I also stopped by to see the Nachi Waterfall which has some very wonderful scenery while keeping the sense of a sacred place. Then I went to Katsuura Spa. They have a hot spring in a beach side cave called Boukido which is fascinating. And I ate tuna cooking which is a Katsuura specialty. Kansai has so many places full of attractions for each of its areas."
Among the sightseeing areas visited by many people, Asukamura seems to be especially attractive to Mr. Cui. He said,"The attraction of Asukamura to me is that it is set in a pastoral landscape, almost like an open-air museum. And it has the gentle essence of Japanese landscape in all four seasons. Beautiful Japanese landscape from olden times still remains. Nature from the locality of my hometown, in the east northern part of China, is very cold and dry, therefore I especially appreciate the beauty of the scenery in Asukamura which is full of water and green." I could tell that he clearly knows more about Kansai's attractive spots than ordinary Japanese. Asked about his favorite food, he answered 'Sushi' immediately. He said, "I would say Sushi even if I was asked to choose only one favorite food in the world." This comment, which implied a preference over even the marvelous tastes of China, delighted me and I felt a great sense of warmth and friendship.
According to Mr. Cui, while we can get a great variety of information about the world from the internet, and so on, it is far more important to visit the country and get in touch directly with the local people and their culture. He said, "If people can treasure the memories of a country they have visited even once, then, if the memory is a good one, they will love that country forever. That is especially true for Chinese people who seldom have an opportunity to travel overseas even once in their lives."
Mr.Cui has been working on highly meaningful projects that further deepen the friendship between Japan and China through his work in following the traces of exchange between two countries, as they remain today along the "Rekishi Kaido". This Spring, through Wenlian Publishing Company from China, he has published a book entitled 'Exploring the history of exchange between China and Japan in Kansai' which introduces the exchange history in relation to the "Rekishi Kaido". Furthermore, this year, the "Rekishi Kaido" Promotion Council has opened an office in Beijing in the hope that many more Chinese people will come to know about the "Rekishi Kaido" in Kansai. Mr. Cui himself has been appointed as a delegate for the Council. He is determined to allow as many Chinese people as possible to experience the attractions of Kansai and he will do this by shuttling between China and Japan for the near future. In my opinion, I believe his efforts will be very successful and we can be sure to hear of future Chinese visitors returning to their homeland still saying "Kansai Daisuki (I love Kansai), well after leaving Japan. |
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