International Course on Conservation of Japanese Paper in Latin America 2025
The Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (TOBUNKEN) has jointly organized the ‘International Course on Conservation of Japanese Paper in Latin America’ in Mexico City since 2012, together with ICCROM (International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property) and CNCPC-INAH (The National Center for Cultural Preservation, The National Institute of Anthropology and History). Compared to North America and Europe, the Latin American region is considered to have fewer opportunities for training and information exchange regarding cultural property conservation and restoration. Therefore, by targeting this region, the training program aims to contribute to the preservation and restoration of paper cultural properties in the region.
The course was held from November 12 to 26, 2025, marking its ninth edition, welcoming a total of nine trainees from six countries: the Argentine Republic, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, the Republic of Chile, the Republic of Colombia, the Republic of Guatemala, and the United Mexican States.
The first half of the training was conducted by the Japanese team of instructors and the second half by the Latin team of instructors from the United Mexican States and the Kingdom of Spain. The first half provided foundational knowledge on Japanese restoration techniques for paper-based cultural properties, including lectures on washi, traditional Japanese paper, and restoration techniques for such materials. Practical sessions focused on highly applicable techniques, tools, and materials.
Participants expressed very high satisfaction with the training. They greatly valued the opportunity to learn directly through hands-on experience with washi and Japanese techniques, and to gain an understanding of the underlying philosophy behind them.
Furthermore, the instructors for the Latin team included Mexican experts who had previously attended the courses, including the ‘International Course on Conservation of Japanese Paper’ at TOBUNKEN, which has been running for over 30 years. This steady capacity building abroad represents a significant achievement for our institute. We hope the techniques, knowledge, and personal connections fostered during this training will further contribute to the preservation of cultural properties both domestically and internationally.