"East Asian Tales and Legends of Stars and Universe" A Proposal of an IYA 2009 East Asian collaboration project "East Asian Tales and Legends of Stars and Universe" （East Asian Stars） Norio Kaifu

Why the “Asian Stars” ? Planetarium lectures and current textbooks on stars and constellations are mostly based on the western (Greek and Roman) stories even in Asian countries. We know, however, that we have rich culture of stars throughout the East Asia and South Pacific islands.

Project Mission We aim to collect and edit the East Asian legends and traditional stories relating to stars and universe in the East Asian countries and regions. Final Target is to publish attractive books of East Asian star legends for public and teachers so that Asian people and children can enjoy those stories in schools, planetariums, and in their homes.

Possible process and organizations First step: First, we collect good and interesting stories / legends relating stars and universe in each counties / regions.  There should be some books published already and those should be collected first and be jointly recognized. We organize regional and East Asian workshops to introduce and discuss those stories / legends each other.

Possible process and organizations (cont.) Editing: The editorial board select and edit those stories / legends to produce simple, but attractive and well-organized book/books for public, by which we can introduce East Asian tradition and culture related to stars to teachers, general public and children. We aware that the great success of the Greek-Roman stories is based on long-years editing efforts from many stories which were disordered and scattered in early days.

Possible process and organizations (cont.) 3. Two types of publications: EA Common Book/Books: Covers good stories in the East Asian region, well organized and balanced, and edited based on historic and ethnologic aspects. This type of book/books should be written in English and then be translated into each languages and be published in the EA countries / regions. We need good pictures to help readers to understand the stories / legends and background culture, and share them in all publications.

3. Two types of publications: (cont.) (2) National/regional books: Another type of books are those books edited and published in each countries / regions more or less based on their own stories as products of the cooperative efforts. Such books can be published in other countries / regions by collaboration.

Possible process and organizations (cont.) 4. Working groups and their functions: (1) National/regional working groups: Organize regional workshops Organize regional editorial board Publish books in each regions Support the EA working group (2) East Asian Working group: Organize East Asian workshops Organize EA editorial board Edit common books in English Collaborate with regional WGs on publishing

An Overview EA collaboration national/regional Regional Working Group of “Asian Stars” EA Working Group of “Asian Stars” organization Regional Workshops EA　Workshop of “Asian Stars” output/input Regional Workshops EA Editorial Board Regional Editorial Boards Common Books in English Regional Books Common Books in each languages