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Kim, Hyun-Jung
- Cross-Cultural Studies
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- v.50
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- pp.197-224
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- 2018
Korea's Kimjang and Japan's Washoku were listed in the UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013. Kimjang and Washoku not only have the meaning of a long tradition or national representative food. Additionally, UNESCO admitted the value of Kimjang and Washoku that allows members of society to share together and strengthen their solidarity through the use of it. And the identity of each nation is well represented in the Kimjang and Washoku effort. The Kimjang is managed by the Intangible Cultural Properties Department of the Cultural Heritage Administration. Likewise, the Washoku is managed by the Department of Washokusitsu of Japan's Agriculture Ministry. In regards to festivals, they are the most representative of Kimjang's contents in Korea. Kimjang can participate with a consensus of all people and must do it before the coming winter months. In this way, it is very suitable for the presentation of a festival. And there are many festivals related to Washoku in Japan, mainly manifested with local specialties. We have seen that Japan has many kinds of festivals, which encourages it to be called and known as the country of festivals. And Washoku is being fostered as the core content of the 'Cool Japan Strategy' because it has become world-renowned since it was listed as an intangible cultural heritage.