Tokyo (ANN/THE YOMIURI SHIMBUN) — In the heart of Cambodia’s Siem Reap lies the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a testament to ancient architectural marvels. Behind the ongoing restoration and preservation efforts of this iconic temple complex stands the unwavering dedication of 86-year-old Japanese professor Yoshiaki Ishizawa, who has poured three decades of his life into the project.
Ishizawa, a distinguished scholar from Sophia University, shared his sentiments during an interview with Jiji Press in November 2023. Despite his age, he expressed eagerness to continue supporting the conservation of Angkor Wat, reflecting on the progress made in training Cambodian experts to ensure the site’s future resilience.
The professor’s journey with Angkor Wat began in the 1960s when, as a French major, he visited Cambodia. Struck by the grandeur of the ancient stone temples constructed almost 800 years ago, Ishizawa felt a calling to unravel the mysteries behind their construction and technology, with a commitment to passing on these findings to future generations.
However, the turbulent times of Cambodia’s civil war in 1970 posed severe challenges to the preservation of Angkor Wat. Many of the country’s conservation officers, numbering around 40 in the 1960s, were tragically targeted and killed during Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge administration. By 1980, when Ishizawa returned to Cambodia, only three officers dedicated to Angkor Wat’s conservation were confirmed alive.
Undeterred by the adversity, Sophia University initiated a groundbreaking project in 1991, led by Professor Ishizawa. The mission was clear: to train Cambodians to become conservators, with the guiding principle of “Restoration of historic sites for the Cambodians by the Cambodians.”
In 1996, the university’s team, under Ishizawa’s leadership, established an educational facility in Cambodia. The objective was not only to restore the physical structure of Angkor Wat but also to instill a sense of pride in the Cambodian people, whose spirits had been wounded by the ravages of civil war.
A significant milestone in their collaborative efforts was the commencement of restoration work on Angkor Wat’s western causeway. Over the course of more than three decades, local conservation officers worked hand-in-hand with Japanese experts, gaining invaluable experience in the intricate art of preservation. The completion ceremony in November 2023 marked a symbolic achievement, with the Japanese government and Sophia University’s support evident in the successful restoration of the western causeway.
During the ceremony, Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni acknowledged Professor Ishizawa’s pivotal role, expressing gratitude for his enduring support. Ishizawa, in turn, articulated his relief at having paved the way for Cambodian conservators to take the lead in the ongoing preservation efforts.
“It has taken more than 30 years, but now we have a good prospect for the training system,” Ishizawa remarked. However, his commitment does not waver, eemphasising heir continued cooperation to ensure the sustained protection of Angkor Wat.
Professor Yoshiaki Ishizawa’s three-decade commitment to the Angkor Wat conservation project stands as a testament to the enduring power of collaborative international efforts in preserving cultural heritage. His vision to empower the Cambodian people in safeguarding their historic sites reflects a profound dedication to bridging the past with the future, ensuring that Angkor Wat’s legacy remains vibrant for generations to come.
