| ■Tokyo National Research
Institute for Cultural Properties |
■Center for Conservation
Science |
| ■Department of Art Research,
Archives and Information Systems |
■Japan Center for
International Cooperation in Conservation |
| ■Department of Intangible
Cultural Heritage |
|
A scene from “Climate change and museum collections”
The IIC congress was held in 15-19 September at Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London. The main theme of the Congress was “Conservation and Access”. Various ideas, surveys and practical examples were given on transportation and handling of cultural assets, disclosure and management of easily damaged materials, and information was exchanged. A symposium entitled “Climate Change and Museum Collections” took place during the congress. Changes in environment due to global warming and consequent effects on cultural assets were discussed. In addition, representatives of the organizations in each country referred to as IIC Regional Groups held a meeting. Ms. SONODA of the National Museum of Ethnology and Mr. ISHIZAKI of our Institute from Japan attended. Strengthening of collaboration between the organizations in each country was discussed.
Keynote lecture by ISHIZUKA Takeshi, the Director of Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques
Three members of the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques -ISHIZUKA Takeshi, HAYAKAWA Yasuhiro and MORII Masayuki – participated in the “2008 International Symposium on Conservation Science for Cultural Heritage” that was held at the Seoul Educational Cultural Hall from September 29, 2008 to October 1.
The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, Korea, which hosted this symposium, has received a large research and development budget allocation in the conservation science area from the government of South Korea since 2006. The symposium was held partly to announce this achievement. Presenters for this symposium included 24 people from 7 other countries and 29 people from Korea, and active discussions took place in many fields.
Practical session (orefuse / crease reinforcement)
Practical session (urauchi / lining)
Opening ceremony
Ten persons were selected from a total of 80 applicants who are engaged in the conservation and utilization of cultural properties throughout the world to participate in the International Course on Conservation of Japanese Paper from September 8 to 26, 2008 that was held jointly with ICCROM(International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Properties).
The course consisted of lectures, practical sessions and a study tour. Topics covered in the lectures included material studies on paper and traditional Japanese adhesives, principles regard-paring the conservation of cultural properties, Japanese-style painting techniques, mounting techniques and mounting formats. In the practical sessions the participants cleaned paper made for practice, infilled holes that had been made to look as if they had been damaged by insects, and mounted the work they had restored into a hanging scroll. They also challenged Japanesestyle book binding. In the study tour, the participants first visited Mino city in Gifu prefecture and learned about minogami (Mino paper), from the traditional method for manufacturing it to the history of its distribution, at Hasegawa Washi Kobo, Mino-Washi Museum and Mino Historical Museum. They also visited the conservation studios of the Association for Conservation of National Treasures both at the Kyoto National Museum and their independent studios.
Most of a 28-meter tower had collapsed (Wenxingta, An-xian)
An earthquake of magnitude 8 occurred in the Sichuan province of China, with the seismic center in Wenchuan-xian, on May 12, 2008. It was a catastrophic disaster that resulted in serious damages including deaths and fatalities due to the collapse of buildings and landslides. Sichuan province has a long history and many of its cultural properties were also seriously damaged. Following the dispatch of a team immediately after the earthquake in order to save lives, the Japanese government submitted a “support package” to the Chinese government listing the types of support that each ministry would be to provide. Response was received at the end of June, and it was decided to exchange Japanese and Chinese experts in order to support the restoration of cultural properties, a project proposed by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. The National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo, commissioned by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, conducted research from September 25 to 30. Focus was placed on collecting information in preparation for developing a specific plan for restoration activities that Japan would provide. For this purpose the current condition of damage was investigated and opinions were exchanged with local persons in charge of the protection of cultural properties. Although 4 months had passed since the earthquake occurred, traces of damage were still visible in the disaster-stricken area. For example, at some temple offices people were working in tents used during evacuation even though winter was approaching.
The following were decided during this visit and through discussions with experts.
1) Approximately 10 experts from Japan would visit Sichuan province and hold a seminar on the theme of protecting cultural properties from earthquakes, working with Chinese experts.
2) Mainly buildings and objects stored in muse-ums would be restored.
3) The time immediately after the 2009 lunar New Year (January 26) would be appropriate.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs has received the report of this investigation and is currently examining specific details.
Investigation at Rashaan Khad site
Workshop for protection of cultural heritage in Japan and Mongolia
From September 3 to 13, 2008, we visited Mongolia to conclude the agreement on cooperation for the conservation of cultural heritage of Mongolia with the Department of Culture and Art, Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, hold a workshop as part of an exchange program commissioned by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, and survey the partner country.
From September 5 to 8, we visited sites in Khentii Aimag (province), in the conservation of which Japan was asked to cooperate. At Rashaan Khad site, pictures of animals and characters of various languages are found on rocks dating from the Paleolithic era to the time of the Mongol Empire. Serven Khaalga site is a memorial of the war in which Genghis Khan participated. The present condition of these sites, valuable sites that may be called national treasures of Mongolia, were documented by photographs and GPS and the state of their deterioration was investigated.
On September 9, the Agreement between the Department of Culture and Art, Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, Mongolia and the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo, Japan on Cooperation on the Conservation of Cultural Heritage of Mongolia was signed. The agreement covers activities such as the implementation of joint projects, cooperation in research and development, capacity development and holding of workshops, all with focus on the protection of cultural heritage. It emphasizes cooperation in the protection of both tangible and intangible cultural heritages while respecting the positions of both organizations.
On September 10 and 11, a workshop entitled “Protection of Tangible/Intangible Cultural Heritage in Mongolia and Japan” was held. This was the first of the joint projects between the two organizations and was supported by the Japanese embassy in Mongolia. The topic of the workshop was decided by the government of Mongolia in December 2007 for the purpose of improving laws related to the conservation of cultural heritage, protecting historical and cultural monuments, and promoting economic contribution by developing tourism. Fourteen people from Japan and twenty from Mongolia participated in the workshop. Four presentations each were given by Japan and Mongolia, followed by a question and answer session.
Presentation at the 22nd international workshop on conservation and restoration of cultural properties
The 22nd international workshop on conservation and restoration of cultural properties entitled “Conservation of Sites and Water” was held on September 19, 2008, with 75 participants. 3 presentations were made: “The Hydrology, Hydraulics, and Geotechnics of Moenjodaro” by Mr. Richard Hughes of the International Heritage Conservation and Management Ltd., UK; “Present Condition and Problems of Conservation at the Sendai City Tomizawa Site Museum” by Mr. Sato Hiroshi of the Sendai City Tomizawa Site Museum; and “The Underwater Park of Baiae – Preservation and Public Access” by Dr. Nicola Severino of Naples and Pompei Special Archeology Station, Italy. These presentations were followed by comprehensive discussions. Ways to avoid water are often discussed in conserving sites, and exam-ples of sites at which conservation is conducted on the premise that there is water may be useful as reference when considering the conservation of sites in different circumstances.
The 4th Debriefing Session of Japan-Thai Joint Research Results
Based on the letters exchanged between the Thai Culture Ministry Fine Arts Department and the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo in October 2006, the Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation is performing joint research with the Fine Arts Department on the deterioration and conservation of ruins in Thailand. We hosted the debriefing session of the research results in Bangkok.
The session took place at the Thai National Gallery on September 4 and 5. Research presentations were given at the session – six from Japan and four from Thailand- and lively discussion took place among the approximately 30 local researchers who participated.
While staying in Thailand, we visited the Fine Arts Department, and had a meeting concerning the Asian Cultural Heritage International Conference to be held on January 14-16, 2009.
Visiting restored urban areaｓ of old Québec
ICOMOS General Assembly
I participated in the 16th ICOMOS General Assembly held in Québec （Canada） from September 27 to October 4, as a part of research activities on international trends in cultural heritage conservation.
Experts of various fields related to conservation of tangible cultural heritage assembled from around the world. Approximately 20 people from Japan attended making the 2nd largest delegation from the Asia-Pacific region. The theme “Finding the Spirit of the Place” was discussed throughout the whole session, at the General Assembly, during the International Forum for Young Researchers and Professionals, the meetings of the International Scientific Committees (ISCs), the International Scientific Symposium, as well as site visits. The Forum for Young Researchers and Professionals (Sept. 27-28) was a new attempt where young researchers contributed to active discussions. As many as 23 specialized meetings were set for the ISC meetings (Sept. 29) among which I attended five meetings where Japan was little or not represented so far, and calling for greater participation. On September 30, the opening of the General Assembly took place. The International Symposium (Oct. 1-2) had four simultaneous sessions set around the theme ‘Spirit of the Place’; various examples of conservation practices from all over the world were introduced along with poster sessions. On September 3, the participants divided into seven groups to visit the heritage of Québec, its old city and surrounding sites. As a result of the General Assembly and the elections, one member from Japan was elected for the Executive Committee and one member was admitted to honorary membership. Throughout these eight days we had valuable opportunities to actively exchange opinions and develop networks further ahead.
On August 19, “Energy and Environment Course” was held by the Japan Atomic Energy Relations Organization in the seminar room of the Institute for people associated with school education. It was followed by a tour of the facilities of the Institute with focus on analyses using radial rays that are employed in the restoration of cultural properties. The participants visited the Radiography Lab on the basement floor, the Analytical Science Section and Restoration Studio of the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques, and the exhibit of materials displayed on the first floor. People in charge of each facility provided explanations and answered questions.
Mr. Choi Tae Yong, Director General for Planning and Coordination of the Cultural Heritage Administration (left), and Director General Suzuki of the Institute
Shirono Seiji, the Institute's photographer, (left) explained the special roentgenography to Mr. Choi Tae Yong, Director General for Planning and Coordination (center) and Mr. Cho Hyun-Jung, Information Management Office (right), both of the Cultural Heritage Administration, Korea.
On August 22, Mr. Choi Tae Yong, Director General for Planning and Coordination and Mr. Cho Hyun-Jung, officer of the Information Management Office, both of the Cultural Heritage Administration, Korea, and Mr. Choi Byoung Mi of the Korean Cultural Center at the Korean Embassy in Japan visited the Department of Research Programming. The purpose of their visit was to investigate cases overseas on matters of the management of cultural heritage archives and digitization of cultural properties and to hold discussions with persons in charge of such matters. After talking with the Institute’s Director General Suzuki, they visited the Library of the Department of Research Programming and observed the data input work. They also visited the Image Laboratory where Shirono Seiji, the Institute’s photographer, explained the newest special roentgenography showing the differences in fluorographic images of silk made in Japan, Korea and China. The visitors listened with great interest to the results of studies using high technology and exchanged opinions. The Republic of Korea is now promoting the construction of cultural heritage archives and the digitization of data on a national basis, and the information provided by the Institute seemed to be of great use to them.
Discussing restoration plans at the studio
”Peacocks and Pine Tree” in the collection of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Canada, which is being restored this year, is a large folding screen believed to have been made in the first half of the 17th century. There are numerous damages on the folding screen and materials considered inappropriate for the restoration of traditional works of art, such as synthetic coloring materials, adhesives and western paper had been used for reinforcement in the past. To return the screen to a good condition as much as possible, a discussion of the details of the restoration plan was held at Bokunindo (Shizuoka city), the restoration studio, on August 4 (Mon) by the persons in charge there and four from the Institute – Kawanobe Wataru, Deputy Director of the Center for Conservation and Restoration Techniques; Kato Masato, researcher of the Technical Standard Section of the Center; Tanaka Atsushi, Director of the Department of Research Programming; and Emura Tomoko, researcher of the Department. Restoration of the folding screen is scheduled to be completed by the end of this fiscal year.
The 23rd International Costume Congress
On August 20 and 21, the 23rd International Costume Congress was held at the Hida Earth Wisdom Center (Takayama city). Approximately 200 researchers, textile-dyeing artists and designers from Korea, Taiwan and Mongolia as well as Japan participated. Kikuchi Riyo of the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage attended the Congress and presented a research paper.
The common theme of this academic meeting was “East/West Exchanges in Costume Culture.” Lectures, presentations of research papers, poster sessions and an exhibition of creative costumes were held. Participants from various countries had the opportunity to learn about studies on textile-dyeing techniques and deepened their awareness of national differences in ideas related to the conservation of techniques and attempts at reproduction.
On this occasion, a visit was also made to the Mino-Washi Museum (Mino city) and Shunkei Kaikan (Takayama city) to collect information on traditional craft techniques. Since the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage has just begun to collect information on traditional craft techniques, it will continue to expand its activities to different regions and fields of craft techniques.
Inside the mineshaft
The Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques conducted an on-site investigation of Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine Site, which has been inscribed as a World Heritage Site, from August 11 (Tue) to 13 (Sun). The enormous number of visitors there, which is due to the fact that the site has been added to the World Heritage List and that it was the summer vacation season, reinforced the impact recognition as a World Heritage Site has on people. A visit to the Iwami Ginzan starts from the old Omori magistrate’s office, which is now a reference library, through an area of preserved townscape designated Preservation District for Groups of Historic Structures, past the Kumagai family residence and the former Kawashima family residence, designated as important cultural properties, and to the entrance of the mineshaft. A plan is now being made to enable visitors to view some of the mineshafts, including some big ones which people used to enter in on horsebacks. As a World Heritage Site, Iwami Ginzan is expected to continue to remind people of bygone days.
Conservation methodology and techniques are transferred in order to foster local experts.
A portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer is used to analyze the elements contained in the paint layers of a mural painting.
The Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation dispatched the first mission of the “Conservation of the Mural Paintings of the National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan,” a part of an exchange program commissioned by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, from July 23 to August 5. The mural fragments to be conserved had been detached from archaeological sites in Tajikistan by Russian experts over a period of years (cf: http://www.tobunken.go.jp/materials/ktmonth/2007-08)
Since the number of experts on conservation is insufficient in Tajikistan, these mural fragments are placed in the storage of the National Museum without being appropriately treated. Therefore, there are numerous problems and the fragments need to be treated for conservation and future exhibition. In this project, the conservation knowledge and techniques that the Center has accumulated will be transferred to Tajikistan in order to foster Tajikistan experts on conservation.
One of the major issues associated with the mural paintings is the use of synthetic resin that had been impregnated into the fragments during their detachment. This synthetic resin was used to protect the mural fragments at that time but has yellowed and hardened the soil that had adhered to the surface, making it difficult to see the mural paintings now. Activities of this mission included a cleaning test to remove the discolored synthetic resin and hardened soil from the mural fragments.
Investigation of the paint materials is also important in understanding the painting techniques and the route by which materials used for the mural paintings were procured at the time. Thus, a portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer was used for elementary analysis, and some of the pigments were identified. As a result it was revealed that the currently black areas were once green and that various shades of red paints were used to produce different colors.
On July 3, 9 students of Beppu University (Graduate School of Literature) majoring in Cultural Properties Studies visited the Institute, led by two professors, to observe the state-of-the-art research on the science of cultural properties and restoration. Specifically, they visited the X-ray Room on the basement, the Restoration Materials Science and Analytical Science Sections as well as the Restoration Studio of the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques, and the Special Exhibition on the 1st floor. Representatives of these sections explained their activities and answered questions from the students.
Annual Report of the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo (2007)
Profile of the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo (2008)
The Annual Report (2007) and the Profile (2008) of the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo have been published. The Annual Report comprehensively describes what the Institute has achieved in its activities last year. In the wake of the unification of institutes within the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, the annual plan, the project report and materials related to the Institute have been revised for the 2007 report.The Profile presents the research organization of the Institute as well as its various activities scheduled for the current year in two languages (Japanese and English) and in a visual form for easy understanding.
A copy each of the Annual Report and the Profile are distributed to national and prefectural museums and to libraries of universities with divisions on cultural properties study.Copies of the Profile as well as those of the TOBUNKEN News are distributed to the general public at the Institute and Kuroda Memorial Hall. The Annual Report and the Profile are available as PDF files for perusal on our website.
Children’s brochure
What is the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo?
This fiscal year, the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo published a brochure for children entitled What’s the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo? The aim of this brochure is to introduce the Institute to elementary school children and junior high school students. A cartoon character named “Tobunken no Empitsukun” introduces cultural properties and the activities of each of the Institute’s departments and centers in an easy to understand way. This brochure is scheduled to be distributed to the children of public elementary and junior high schools in Taito-ku. Of course, they are also available at the Institute and at Kuroda Memorial Hall for visitors.
PDF copies of the children’s brochure can be downloaded from the Institute’s website at the following URL: http://www.tobunken.go.jp/~joho/japanese/publication/
kids/2008.pdf The website for children will continue to be developed further.
Discussion with Mr. Takahashi (the presenter)
A monthly workshop of the Department of Research Programming was held on July 23. Mr. Takahashi Hideharu (Chief of the Art Section, Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art) was invited to present a lecture on “Torn Trousers,” a work by Fuji Gazo (1853-1916) who played an important role in encouraging Kuroda Seiki to become a painter. The work was accepted by Le Salon during Fuji’s study in France, but little was known about its later history except that it had been bought by an American. Thus, for many years no researcher encountered the actual work. Therefore, the presentation by Mr. Takahashi is about one of the most significant discoveries in recent years not only for researchers of Kuroda Seiki but for those of Japanese modern art in general. The presentation included a detailed report about the American collector who bought the work, historical facts about the discovery, and the present state of the work. The work is scheduled to appear, in a color print, on the 358th issue of The Bijutsu Kenkyu (The Journal of Art Studies) which is scheduled to be published in early November), together with an expository article by Mr. Takahashi.
Since 1977, exhibitions have been held every year to provide opportunities to appreciate the works of Kuroda Seiki. This year, the exhibition was held at Kobe City Koiso Memorial Museum of Art. Following the opening ceremony on July 18, the exhibition was opened to the public on July 19th (it will be open until August 31). Approximately 160 oil paintings and sketches including “Lakeside” and “Wisdom, Impression, Sentiment,” both designated Important Cultural Properties, are exhibited. It is the largest exhibition of Kuroda’s works to be held in the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe area in about 30 years. Kobe City Koiso Memorial Museum of Art is an art museum dedicated to Koiso Ryohei, the Western-style painter who studied under Fujishima Takeji at The Tokyo Art School and later taught there. Koiso set himself a goal of inheriting the academic tradition of Western-style painting in Japan, whose foundation had been laid by Kuroda and other painters. At the Museum, visitors will now enjoy a precious opportunity to have an overview of this tradition by appreciating Kuroda’s works along with those of Koiso (which form the Museum’s permanent exhibition).
The Institute is currently engaged in the work of tracing the history of the Institute since the founding of its predecessor, The Institute of Art Research, in 1930, with the publication of “75 Years of the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo” in fiscal year 2009 in view.
In July, investigations were held at the homes of the families of the late Umezu Jiro (1906-1988), a former member of the Institute who specialized in the research of picture scrolls in Japan, and of the late Ogyu Chikaharu (1884-1944), another former member who was in charge of the management of Kuroda Memorial Hall. Although some materials on Umezu have already been donated to the Institute and made available to the public, new materials were found during this investigation to supplement them. Previously, the Institute had had only limited information about Ogyu, including the facts that his wife Sumi was the sister of Kuroda Seiki, the Western-style painter who willed that the establishment of the Institute and that he studied Western-style painting at The Tokyo Art School. However, during this investigation several dozens of his Western-style paintings (though small in format), some photographs (including one of a portrait of Kuroda’s sister) and other valuable materials that reveal the artistic style of Ogyu, who studied the plein-arist style of paintings of Kuroda and other artists, and his acquaintances were found. Since Ogyu’s family was related to the Sakai family (lord of the feudal Tsuruoka clan), he painted a portrait of Sakai Tadaatsu (15th lord of the clan) and his wife in the Meiji period. It was found that this portrait is now in the collection of the Sakai family. These findings will be incorporated into the profiles of former members of the Institute to be included in “75 Years of the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo.” Investigations like these are expected to serve as basic materials for the history of the achievements of researchers of cultural properties, about which not much has been investigated until now.
