Development Process of the Database of Restoration Records for Cultural Properties (Fine Arts and Crafts)—Presentation at “Claris Conference 2025”
The Department of Art Research, Archives and Information Systems of the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (TOBUNKEN) manages approximately one hundred databases built with Claris FileMaker, a low-code development platform provided by Claris International Inc. Among them is the Database of Restoration Records for Cultural Properties (Fine Arts and Crafts), developed as part of the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ project “Investigation of Tools and Materials Used for the Preservation and Restoration of Fine Arts and Crafts.” On November 7, 2025, TOBUNKEN presented a report on this database at the Claris Conference 2025, organized by Claris International Inc.
A defining feature of this database is that each stage of the workflow—‘creating,’ ‘storing,’ ‘retrieving,’ and ‘displaying’ data—is not carried out within a single integrated system, but rather operated by utilizing multiple software tools while sharing only the data itself. In practice, data created with Microsoft Excel is imported into Claris FileMaker, while WordPress is used for public dissemination.
In a presentation titled “The High Flexibility of Claris FileMaker Supporting the Database of Restoration Records for Cultural Properties Without a Predefined Standard” (presenters: Mr. OYAMADA Tomohiro, Ms. YAMANAGA Naomi, Mr. TARASHIMA Satoshi, and Ms. EMURA Tomoko, Department of Art Research, Archives and Information Systems), the speakers explained that this approach offered a high degree of flexibility at each development stage, enabling adaptable system design and quick adjustment of specifications. Under this agile-style development process, we will continue our efforts through ongoing trial and error, with the aim of designing and developing a database that will be of practical use to those engaged in restoration work.
The results of this fiscal year’s project will be announced on February 6, 2026 (https://www.tobunken.go.jp/info/event/2026/0206/ (Japanese only)).