Participants at the opening ceremony
Lecture on basic chemistry using molecular models
Practical session on waste solvents and their disposal
Since FY2021, the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (TOBUNKEN) has been offering training sessions that provide the scientific information necessary for cultural property restoration. These sessions incorporate insights gained from our research at TOBUNKEN. The program is designed for specialists with restoration experience in cultural properties, museum materials, library materials, and so on, and is intended for professionals with extensive practical field experience.
The fifth iteration of the training was held over three days from September 30 to October 2, 2025, with 16 participants in attendance. The lectures, which included practical sessions, covered the fundamental scientific knowledge considered essential for cultural property restoration. Researchers from TOBUNKEN delivered lectures on the essential chemistry required for cultural property restoration, including adhesion and adhesives, the science of paper and its deterioration, responses to biological issues, and the necessary precautions when using and disposing of laboratory equipment and chemicals.
In response to requests from conservators, we developed a more practical and field-applicable curriculum. Despite the limited time available, participants were highly engaged in proposing scientific approaches to real-world challenges, networking, and sharing information. Post-event surveys revealed positive feedback, with many participants rating the program as “extremely beneficial.” We also received specific requests for scientific insights to be applied in future restoration work. Taking these opinions into account, we plan to continue offering similar training programs on an ongoing basis.
Participants after the opening ceremony
Since FY2019, the Center for Conservation Science of the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (TOBUNKEN) has put effort into training programs related to restoration treatments for cultural properties, inviting international specialists and implementing these programs in collaboration with partner institutions. Until last year, the workshops had been co-organized with the National Center for Art Research, Japan (NCAR). This year, the National Museum of Western Art (NMWA) was also added as a partner, making it a three-institution collaborative initiative.
The theme of this year’s program focused on “frames,” which, much like hyōsō (mounting) in East Asian paintings, have long played an essential role in the display and protection of paintings. Despite their close connection with artworks, the importance of frames has yet to gain sufficient recognition in Japan, and information on their conservation practice remains scarce. In light of this situation, Ms. BARROW Yukiko, Senior Conservator at the Victoria and Albert Museum (UK), was invited as the instructor for a three-day workshop titled “History, Technique and Conservation of Picture Frames,” held from October 29 to 31, 2025.
The morning lecture sessions took place in the seminar room of TOBUNKEN, where participants (67 in total) received a wide-ranging introduction, from the history and production techniques of frames to contemporary conservation approaches in the UK. In the afternoon, the venue shifted to the Conservation Studio of NMWA, where 15 selected participants engaged in hands-on training in gilding, toning, cleaning, and other conservation techniques currently practiced in the UK.
On November 1, an associated lecture titled “The History and Conservation of Picture Frames in Britain and Japan” was held. Ms. Barrow spoke on the history of frame conservation and the work of conservators in the UK, while Ms. NAKAE Kana, Curator at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (MOT), gave a lecture on the history of Western-style frames in Japan. The event was attended by 69 participants.
This workshop, marking the first collaborative effort among the three institutions, offered an integrated opportunity to study both the theoretical and practical aspects of frame history and conservation. The program proved highly fruitful and is expected to contribute to the future advancement of conservation and restoration practices in Japan.
