無形文化遺產京都祇園祭山鉾巡行的申遺歷程與文資保護：兼論臺灣王爺信仰習俗申遺的可能

Preservation: A Discussion on the Potential for Application as World Heritage for Taiwan's Wang Yeh Worship

當世界遺產、無形文化遺產等概念從西方文化殿堂的語彙，逐步成為全球文化遺產保護的共同價值，申遺已被視為彰顯國家軟實力，提升國民威信及凝聚國民意識的象徵標竿。特別是我國近鄰的中國、日本、韓國，近年來無不在無形文化遺產保護上積極投注心力，各自也取得可觀的世界遺產、無形文化遺產入選成果。在聯合國教科文組織（UNESCO）無形文化遺產的入選名單中，即清楚呈現東亞各國獨大的現況。反觀，臺灣現階段尚無法透過正常程序進行申請，在此暫且不論國際地位等複雜的政經問題，單就今日作為文資保護對象的文化傳統而論，譬如王爺信仰、媽祖信仰、南島語族文化等近年受社會大眾關注的文化資產，不論就文化表現形式或遺產價值皆確具備UNESCO無形文化遺產明訂的申遺基準。其中，以迎送王、進香體現臺灣王爺信仰的祭典儀式，採用「王爺信仰」一稱，作為臺灣無形文化遺產潛力點的一項來推動申遺。綜觀現今獲UNESCO無形文化遺產名錄收錄的保護對象，就以2009年獲選，享有盛名的京都祇園祭山鉾巡行與「王爺信仰」在屬性、結構、內涵較為相近。這項文化遺產，不僅在日本國內申遺評選中獲得壓倒性的支持，就UNESCO最終審議上也得到高度的評價，是該年度少數申遺成功的祭典型無形文化遺產。本文將針對「京都祇園祭山鉾巡行」的申遺過程，以及探討此項文化遺產的內涵及保護措施，藉此思索臺灣的王爺信仰習俗邁向申遺之路的可能方向。

As“World Heritage”and“Intangible Cultural Heritage”gradually moved from the jargon of western academea to become common expessions within cultural heritage preservation worldwide, application for UNESCO’s World Heritage status has become an important benchmark for a country's participation in international cultural heritage preservation efforts, and for the promotion of one's own country. Although Taiwan does not have cultural heritage recognized by relevant international covenant due to the political challenges that it faces in the international community, there are indeed traditions that meet the UNESCO criteria for intangible cultural heritage--including the rituals of Wang yeh and Mazu worships, as well as Taiwan’s indigenous Austronesia cultures--whether in terms of cultural expression or values as cultural heritage. Manifestations of Taiwan's Wang Yeh worship, such as welcoming and sending off the Wang Yeh, pilgrimage, rituals and so forth, are listed as Taiwan’s potential World Heritage items as parts of the broader Wang Yeh belief. Looking at the Intangible Cultural Heritage list, the Yamaboko Jonkōparade of Kyoto's Gion Matsuri festival, selected in 2009, is most representative. It was nominated for evaluation by UNESCO from within Japan, the final deliberations awarded consistently high evaluations, and it was also one of the few ceremonial intangible cultural heritage events to have successfully applied for Cultural Heritage status that year. Through analysis of that Cultural Heritage application measures the connotations and preservation of intangible cultural heritage, this article seeks to evaluate and discuss Taiwan's potential application to obtain Cultural Heritage status for traditions in Wang Yeh worship.