11 th Sept Dear Sir/ Madam

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1 11 th Sept 2012 Dear Sir/ Madam We are a citizens group based in Kyoto, taking action against Kyoto city for their proposed alteration and addition to the Kyoto Kaikan, one of the most important works for modern architecture in Japan that was originally constructed in Kyoto city is planning to redevelop this historically significant building to build a modern theater that would not accommodate local orchestras and musicians. The plan was designed without consent of architect and local artists. We would like to ask for your cooperation to send a message to Kyoto city to stop this project from occurring. We admire and respect your ways in how you utilize historical theater buildings that were constructed hundreds of years ago. We wish Kyoto city would do the same, and respect the traditional way. Kyoto city has announced to the local people that it is aiming to attract major houses like La Scala in Milano, The Royal Opera in London, Teatro Comunale in Firenze, Metropolitan opera in NY, Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Opera National de Paris, Wiener Staatsoper to the new theater, however as a result of the project, the new theater is not suitable to accommodate these honorable houses. ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites), managing registration and monitoring of World Heritages for UNESCO, judged this hall as a cultural heritage resource to be respected and conserved. They said this plan will cause irreversible harm to this highly significant heritage. Moreover they are in the process of issuing Heritage Alert to this plan. Kyoto city is planning a skyscraper that is not suitable as a performance hall for opera and ballet. The plan has poor back stage area and the height of the main stage is as high as the highest opera hall existing in Japan. Initially, we have a regulation for building tall buildings around this area, and Kyoto city is trying to bend the rule using this theater as an excuse. This plan will destroy the significant heritage, give heavy finance burden to the future and harmful effect for landscape of Kyoto which we have kept during the long history. We ask your cooperation by sending a message to Kyoto city to stop this

2 project. We are running out of time, and a voice from overseas is one of the key majors to put a stop to this. We thank for your understanding and cooperation in advance, and are looking forward to protect the beautiful city and its historical theater. Best regards Appended paper Letter from Sheridan Burke, President of ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Twentieth Century Heritage Letter from Riitta Salastie, Architect, D.Sc.Helsinki City PlanningDepartment, Member of ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on 20C Heritage Sample letter to Mayor of Kyoto (for your convenience) Yoshimura, Representative Citizens group to Cherish Kyoto Kaikan Kansantachibanacho Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto city, Japan TEL: Hiromi Nishimoto, Secretariat Citizens group to reconsider about the redevelopment of Kyoto Kaikan Mibu Mori-machi Nakakyo-ku Kyoto city, Japan TEL/FAX: For enquires on any issues please contact Hiromi Nishimoto Phone jikkuri.kyoto@gmail.com

3 International Scientific Committee on Twentieth Century Heritage 78 George Street Redfern NSW 2016 AUSTRALIA Mr Daisaku Kadokawa Mayor of Kyoto City. Dear Sir I write to express the concern the International Scientific Committee on 20 th Century Heritage (ISC20C) of the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) about the proposed alterations and addition to the Kyoto Kaikan, designed by Kunio Mayekawa. Constructed in 1960 inside Kyoto s Okazaki Park as a multi-purpose cultural complex, the Kyoto Kaikan is recognized as one of the most important works of modern architecture in Japan. Mayekawa worked under the world renowned architect Le Corbusier in Paris from 1928 to 1930 and brought important new ideas of modern architecture back to Japan, were he practiced for fifty years. Mayekawa is widely recognized as one of the most important Japanese architects of the 20 th Century and the Kyoto Kaikan one of his most significant works. In this project he was able to successfully create a new cultural institution that embodied the ideas of the Modern Movement while making it fit within the traditional historic context that was and is Kyoto. It is a wonderful work of architecture and a cultural heritage resource to be respected and conserved. The ICOMOS ISC20C has reviewed the proposed new plans for the renovation, alteration, and addition to the Kyoto Kaikan and we are concerned that it will cause irreversible harm to this highly significant heritage complex. The size and form of the proposed design of the new theater will destroy the beauty and harmony created by Mayekawa s original design concept and detail.. Following a request for international action, I personally viewed the Kaikan complex in February and since then the ICOMOS ISC20C s international professional and public networks have been used to review the redevelopment proposal and its likely heritage impact. By using external experts in assessing local research and comparative heritage values, a rigorous independent assessment of the situation is achieved. Our concerns has confirmed concerns and resulted in the creation of a Heritage Alert that will be issued by the ICOMOS ISC20C.. The Heritage Alert will be used to draw international attention to the threat to the integrity of the Kyoto Kaikan and to stimulate further consideration of ways to achieve good conservation solutions. The Heritage Alert will be uploaded to the ISC20C website and distributed through the networks of ICOMOS.. It will be updated as and when additional information is brought forward. We most respectfully ask the City to reconsider the current plans for changing the existing Kyoto Kaikan and try to find a better design that retains the heritage values of the original building while accommodating the new programmatic needs of the theater. Yours faithfully,

4 International Scientific Committee on Twentieth Century Heritage 78 George Street Redfern NSW 2016 AUSTRALIA Sheridan Burke President, ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Twentieth Century Heritage

5 Helsinki, the 12th of August 2012 To the Mayor of Kyoto The topics: the preservation of Kyoto Kaikan As a long term visitor of Kyoto and as a specialist of historic preservation I would like to express my greatest concern of the current plans of the City of Kyoto to redevelop the site and to demolish the interior of the building. Kyoto Kaikan is an important work by architect Kunio Maekawa - one of the key figures of Japanese Modernism and the designer of the Tokyo Symphony Hall. The significance of Kyoto Kaikan for the modern heritage of Kyoto is great. The building is exceptionally well preserved up to the interiors, which adds to the uniqueness of this building. Therefore the current plans to keep only the outer architecture and to build a new building inside is against the values of this building, and would completely destroy what is significant in it. The modern legacy of Kyoto is not so numerous and makes the protection of this building the more important. Therefore, I sincerely petition to the cultural will of the City of Kyoto, known for its great efforts to preserve its historic urban heritage. Please stop the plans and preserve the Kyoto Kaikan in its entirety. Riitta Salastie Architect, D.Sc. Helsinki City Planning Department Kansakoulukatu 3, Helsinki, FINLAND tel (0) riitta.salastie(at)hel.fi Member of ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on 20C Heritage

6 Mr. Daisaku KADOKAWA, Mayor, City of Kyoto Mr. Satoshi SAWAMURA, President of ROHM Co. Ltd Mr. Kenichiro SATO, Honorary Chairman of ROHM Co. Ltd Dear Sir We are surprised to hear that Kyoto city has decided to destroy a cultural heritage surrounded by the beauty of nature to build a large tower theater that is intended to invite world class opera and ballet. It is against our will that our names are being used as a reason to proceed this project. In our country, we respect and treasure traditional theaters that have been build several centuries ago. We do our best to show our respect and maintain it so that we can continue to use it without damaging its cultural values. Under the collaboration of architects and performing art specialist, we try to utilize and maximize the true value and character of the original buildings. As a result, our style of renovation will give good influence to modern art. We are sure that there are ways for historical buildings and modern performing arts to have mutual-benefit. Please use our example as a reference and reconsider the project so that the cultural heritage and the natural scenery are both shown respect. Kind regards ==== Please send this message as a letter and fax to the Kyoto city. Mr. Daisaku KADOKAWA, Mayor, City of Kyoto 488 Uehonnojimae-cho, Teramachi-Oike, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto Japan TEL: FAX: Mr. Satoshi SAWAMURA, President of ROHM Co. Ltd Mr. Kenichiro SATO, Honorary Chairman of ROHM Co. Ltd 21 Saiin Mizosaki-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto Japan TEL: FAX: Sign Also it is appreciated if you let us know about your kind action and support. jikkuri.kyoto@gmail.com Once again, thank you for your cooperation and we hope that this action will prevent the loss and destruction of a precious cultural heritage in Kyoto.