Facility Visit, July

An explanation given in the Restoration Laboratory (July 4)

An explanation given in the Analytical Science Laboratory (July 7)

　Four Visitors Including Staff of the Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies:
　On July 4, four visitors including staff of the Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies visited the Institute in order to view work involved in the conservation of cultural properties. The visitors toured the Library of the Department of Art Research, Archives and Information Systems, the laboratories of the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques, and restoration studio of the Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation. The staff members in charge of each facility explained the work they do.

　Four Visitors Including Staff of the National Taiwan Library:
　On July 7, four visitors including staff of the National Taiwan Library visited the Institute in order to view work involved in the conservation of cultural properties. The visitors toured the laboratories of the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques. The staff members in charge of each laboratory explained the work they do.

　31 New Staff Members of the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage:
　As part of a training session, eighteen new staff members of the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage visited the Institute on July 21, and thirteen new members visited on July 22. Each group toured the restoration studio of the Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation, the Library of the Department of Art Research, Archives and Information Systems, and the Performing Arts Studio of the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The staff members in charge of each facility explained the work they do.

Acceptance of donations

From left to right: Takayanagi, Head at the Management Section; Tanaka, Director of the Department of Research Programming; Kamei, Director General; Asaki, President of Tokyo Bijutsu Club; Shimojo, Director of Tokyo Art Dealers’ Association; Yoshida, President of Mitosachi-Shokai Co., Ltd.

　Offers for donations to the Institute were received from the Tokyo Art Dealers’ Association and the Tokyo Bijutsu Club. The Tokyo Art Dealers’ Association aims to fund publication of the Institute’s research results and the Tokyo Bijutsu Club intends to fund the Institute’s research projects.
　On March 4, Director General Kamei Nobuo visited the Tokyo Art Dealers’ Association, located at Shinbashi, Minato-ku, and met Shimojo Kei’ichi, the director of the Tokyo Art Dealers’ Association and Asaki Masakatsu, the president of the Tokyo Bijutsu Club. The two representatives talked with our Director General on a wide range of issues ranging from recent topics of cultural properties to painting tools. They also expressed their hopes for our research activities during the course of the conversation. Following the conversation, Director General Kamei presented a certificate of appreciation to each representative.
　We are glad both organizations are aware of our activities and we are most grateful for their donations. We look forward to putting these donations in funding our activities.

Conclusion of memorandum on cooperation in research and exchange between Guimet Museum in France and National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo

From left of front row: Mr. Nakano, our Deputy Director General , Mr. Jacques Giès, Director of Guimet Museum, Mr. Kamei, our Director General and Mr. Shimizu, Director of Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation

　On May 24, 2010, a memorandum on cooperation in research and exchange was concluded between the Guimet Museum in France and the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo. The purpose of this memorandum is to strengthen and promote cooperation in research and exchange on the investigation, research, conservation and restoration of cultural properties for the Guimet Museum and the Institute. This will be achieved by exchanging researchers, jointly conducting academic activities, jointly holding symposiums and swapping scientific data. On that day, we welcomed Mr. Jacques Giès and Ms. Omoto, the Director and the counsel of Guimet Museum, to the Institute, and had a signature ceremony, where Mr. Jacques Giès and Mr. Kamei, the Director General of the Institute, signed the memorandum in the presence of staff members of the Institute.

Integrated firefighting drill conducted at Institute

Firefighting head office (from the right, Head Office Manager and Director Mr. Suzuki, Director and Deputy managers Mr. Kitade, Director of the Management Department and Mr. Nakano, Deputy Director . In front, Chief of the fire-fighting team: Mr. Takayanagi, Management Division Head)

Stretcher exercise

Water-discharge exercise using extinguishers and participants

Training on how to use the AED with participants carefully listening to the explanation

　An integrated firefighting drill was conducted at the Institute starting at 10:30 a.m. on January 25. The simulated fire started in the hot-water service room on the third floor of the Institute. Training included early extinguishing, fire reporting, evacuation guidance, and first-aid, centering on the in-house firefighting team comprised of Institute members. In addition, many staff members who were at the Institute on the day participated in the drill.
　At 10:30 a.m., the fire alarms went off, and the message “A fire has broken out. Please evacuate!” was broadcasted. The in-house firefighting team and the person who detected the fire used fire extinguishers to simulate fast extinguishing, and simulated a call to 119. The staff was guided outside, and evacuated the premises.
　At the same time, in addition to setting up a firefighting head office and first-aid station, the in-house firefighting team evacuated one trapped member who became sick inhaling smoke on a stretcher, and carried out important cultural items (simulation).
　Director Suzuki expressed his thanks and impression for the participation in the training and talked about the Fire Prevention Day for Cultural Treasures for the following day, saying that we must always take care because we can never know when or where a fire will break out. Mr. Suzuki discussed the unknown cause of the destruction by fire of the Mural Painting of Horyuji Golden Hall, which was the event that inspired the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties. His comments boosted fire prevention awareness among all participants. After the evacuation drill, a lecture on the types and proper ways of using fire extinguishers was given, training using practice extinguishers were carried out with while yelling out “Fire!”
　Following this, a demonstration on how to use the automated external defibrillators (AEDs) installed in the Institute was held, and training on proper AED use was carried out. Participants carefully operated the AED, showing high interest in the importance of life-saving measures.
　The Institute has a yearly fire drill in association with its “Fire Prevention Day for Cultural Properties” held on January 26.

Presentation of a Letter of Appreciation

From left: (front row) President Sato and Director Suzuki; (back row) Director Tanaka of the Department of Management, Deputy Director General Nakano, and Director Kitade of the Department of Management

　On September 14, Director Nakano gave a letter of appreciation to President Sueharu Sato of Otsukakogei-shinsha Co., Ltd., for the donation of a set of glass dry plates and prints of swords which were brought to the Institute on August 10 (received by the Department of Research Programming). They had a friendly talk in the Director’s room on a variety of topics, including the conservation and restoration of cultural properties and cultural programs concerning the exhibitions of works of art. We are grateful for Otsukakogei-shinsha’s understanding of our institute and for their donation. We will employ the donation to further the business of the Institute.