| ■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 |
|
On July 21st, 2026, the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (TOBUNKEN) introduced guidance for the TOBUNKEN Library to four graduate students of Musashino Art University, led by Professor EMURA Tomoko.
At the beginning of this guidance session, KIKKAWA Hideki explained how to use the library and how the collection was developed in the conference room on the second floor of TOBUNKEN. The group then moved to the library and its stack rooms, where our staff introduced materials related to art and architecture, including investigational photographs of cultural properties, exhibition catalogues, and auction catalogues. The participating students, whose specialties include Japanese art history, architecture, and oil painting, handled the materials, listened to the explanations, and actively asked questions from the viewpoint of how they could use the materials for their own research and creative projects.
The Cultural Property Archives Section of the Department of Art Research, Archives and Information Systems, under the research project “Expansion of Specialized Archives and Comprehensive Reference Services,” has a mission to collect, organize, and conserve materials concerning cultural property studies and prepare an easily accessible and effectively usable environment for experts and students. As a part of this effort, we will continue to actively hold guidance sessions.
If you would like to participate in a session, please submit a request with reference to “Guidance Session” (Target: undergraduate/graduate students, museum staff, etc.)
https://www.tobunken.go.jp/joho/japanese/library/application/application_guidance.html
An interview at the Seohaean Baeyeonsingut and Daedonggu Preservation Association (Incheon)
The Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (TOBUNKEN) has been conducting research exchanges with the Korea Heritage Service of the Republic of Korea since 2008. As part of this project, we conduct human resource exchanges by mutually dispatching researchers for research. In 2026, Mr. ISHIMURA Tomo, Director of the Head of the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage, conducted research in Korea on the theme of “Gut (Shamanic Ritual) of the Republic of Korea in a Contemporary Context.”
Gut refers to traditional rituals performed by shamans known as mudang on the Korean Peninsula, though the specific forms of these rituals vary significantly by region. During the 1970s, the “Saemaul Undong” (New Village Movement)—a modernization policy promoted by President Park Chung-hee—led to the persecution of gut practices, which were dismissed as “superstitious” and “unscientific.” However, from the 1980s onward, gut began to be re-evaluated as a form of traditional culture and was designated for protection as an Intangible Cultural Property. In 2009, an annual ritual called the “Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut” was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The study by Mr. ISHIMURA involved interviews with members of the preservation associations for the “Donghaean Byeolsingut” (Busan), “Namhaean Byeolsingut” (Tongyeong), and “Seohaean Baeyeonsingut and Daedonggut” (Incheon)—all of which are designated as National Intangible Cultural Properties. The primary focus of the interviews was to explore the challenges of preserving gut as a traditional cultural practice in contemporary society, as well as the new roles it might play in the modern world.
As a result, members of all the preservation associations spoke of the challenges involved in passing on the related traditions. Although designation as a National Intangible Cultural Property has enabled the societies to receive public support, generating sufficient income through their activities alone remains difficult, forcing many members to work part-time jobs. Mastering the skills and knowledge associated with gut requires many years, and the activities demand a significant time commitment; consequently, members say it is difficult to continue without genuine passion. At the same time, everyone interviewed expressed pride in preserving the traditional culture of gut.
On the other hand, in recent years, many preservation associations have been actively performing aspects of gut by highlighting them as a performing art. For instance, the Seohaean Baeyeonsingut and Daedonggu Preservation Association has staged performances in France and Japan, garnering high acclaim abroad.
Through this research, Mr. ISHIMURA felt that while gut possesses both religious and performative dimensions, the latter often takes center stage in contemporary contexts. However, everyone interviewed in the process emphasized that the religious and spiritual aspects of gut should not be overlooked, asserting that these elements constitute the very essence of the tradition.
In Japan, it is undeniable that folk performing arts—such as kagura—possess not only an aspect of performance but also a religious or spiritual dimension as part of a sacred ritual. It is also undeniable that when these arts are evaluated as cultural properties, the focus tends to be on the performance aspect, while the religious and spiritual dimensions are often “set aside” or “overlooked.” Yet, for those who carry on these traditions, Mr. ISHIMURA suspects that the religious and spiritual aspects are often the more significant ones.
Mr. ISHIMURA felt that through this research exchange project, it was important not only to deepen our understanding of intangible cultural heritage in the Republic of Korea, but also to reflect on our understanding of Japan’s own intangible cultural heritage in light of the insights gained.
Lecture on types and characteristics of restoration materials
Group discussion on the conservation environment
Introduction and practice of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for cultural properties
The “Training Course for Museum Curators in Charge of Conservation (Advanced Course) in 2026” was held from July 6 to 10. This training course, which has been held annually at the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (TOBUNKEN) since 1984, was reorganized into a “Basic Course” and an “Advanced Course” in 2021, with the aim of enabling curators in charge of conservation at museums to acquire a wide range of knowledge and skills necessary for their work, from basic to advanced.
The “Basic Course,” conducted by the National Center for the Promotion of Cultural Properties, is designed to provide curators in charge of the conservation environment of museums with a wide range of knowledge and skills.
The “Advanced Course” covers not only the conservation environment, but also general conservation of cultural properties, and is conducted by the Center for Conservation Science. In the 2026 Advanced Course, lectures and practical training based on research results in various fields were conducted by the Center for Conservation Science, and lectures on the conservation and restoration of various cultural properties and cultural property rescue were provided by external lecturers.
The themes covered in the Advanced Course in 2026 were as follows:
・Theory of restoration of cultural properties
・Scientific investigation of cultural properties
・Theory and discuss of storage environment
・Introduction and practice of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for cultural properties
・Types and characteristics of restoration materials
・Deterioration and conservation of outdoor materials
・Protection of heritage of modernization
・Conservation and restoration of various cultural properties
・Disaster prevention in museums
・Conservation and restoration of folk artifacts
・Preservation of large volumes of documents, and countermeasures against deterioration
・Conservation and restoration of works on paper
・Preservation and management of photographs
We received positive feedback from participants, including comments such as: “It may seem basic, but it reminded me of how important preservation of philosophy is. I now want to discuss and establish our library’s/museum’s policy with the whole team.” Another participant noted, “Fortunately, we do not have any materials requiring restoration at the moment. However, this training helped me understand the importance of carefully examining our approach, purpose, and the scope of restoration before actually starting any work.” A third comment highlighted the value of the session, stating, “It was highly meaningful, as I could reconfirm basic knowledge and theories, while also learning about the challenges and practical examples of other institutions.“ These responses show that the training served as an excellent opportunity for participants to rethink preservation and restoration at their own organizations. While the training achieved high satisfaction overall, some participants requested more practical workshops and specific solutions for real-world issues. We plan to incorporate this feedback into next year’s program.
Main venue; Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO)
Discussion regarding inclusion of the Palace and Abbey of Westminster on the List of World Heritage in Danger
The 48th Session of the World Heritage Committee took place in Busan, Republic of Korea from July 19 to 29, 2026; three members of our institute, the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (TOBUNKEN), participated in the event as observers. In addition, on July 25, the Japan Consortium for International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage – for which our institute serves as the secretariat – organized a side event, attended by five members from TOBUNKEN and three members from the Regional Subcommittee to present the Consortium’s objectives, activities, achievements and future prospects. An overview, as well as details about this event are available on the Consortium’s website, which we invite you to visit (https://www.jcic-heritage.jp/). Compared with the previous years, and thanks to the geographical proximity of the two countries, there was a significantly larger Japanese turnout for the inscription of the “Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara,” and also for a side event organized for July 24 by the Preservation and Utilization Council of “Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region,”
This year, the total number of World Heritage sites has reached 1,273 thanks to 25 new inscriptions, including those made under emergency procedures for conflict zones such as Palestine and Lebanon. A series of decisions was also adopted that significantly reflect the impact of armed conflicts on 6 sites – located in the aforementioned countries and in Ukraine – leading to their inclusion on the List of World Heritage in Danger. Regarding Japan, in addition to the inscription of the Asuka-Fujiwara site, further improvement of the information and interpretation facilities for the “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution” was requested by a related State Party concerned. Evolving concepts regarding the conservation of World Heritage are being applied retroactively; debates have arisen concerning two cultural heritage sites in London, United Kingdom, that lack a buffer zone, focusing on the negative impacts of urban development on their setting and their potential inclusion on the List of World Heritage in Danger. Although inclusion of these sites on that list was ultimately avoided, the challenges associated with preserving cultural heritage sites located in urban areas are highly relevant to Japan as well.
The World Heritage system has thus far been guided by five fundamental objectives, known as the “5Cs” (Credibility, Conservation, Capacity Building, Communication, and Communities); the Busan Declaration unanimously introduced a sixth “C,” that of “Cooperation,” to address issues such as armed conflict and climate change, which require a more cohesive commitment from the international community. Regarding the Nairobi Declaration on Heritage and Authenticity, while the importance of intangible aspects – such as oral traditions and spirituality – has been reaffirmed, challenges have arisen concerning the integration of these components into the World Heritage system, which was conceived primarily for the conservation of immovable properties. In light of these developments, TOBUNKEN will dedicate this year’s World Heritage seminar to the theme “World Heritage within the local community” and continue its efforts to disseminate relevant information.
Work in progress at St. Michael’s Church
Condition of a painting in the nave before cleaning treatment
Condition of the painting after cleaning treatment
The Japan Center for International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage is conducting a joint research project on the conservation and restoration of wall paintings on the interior walls of St. Michael’s Church (Keşlik Monastery) in Cappadocia, Türkiye, in cooperation with domestic and international experts and academic institutions.
From June 26 to July 19, 2026, an on-site investigation and conservation work were carried out based on the conservation and restoration plans developed through previous field surveys. The project focused on the apse and nave of the church, where surface cleaning of the wall paintings, filling of losses, and color retouching were conducted.
Attention was focused on the nave, in which thick layers of soot, oily residues, and resinous deposits derived from candles, oil lamps, and incense used over many years had accumulated on the painted surfaces. These issues had not been fully identified through prior visual inspections or scientific investigations alone. Therefore, repeated cleaning tests and careful evaluations were conducted, leading to the establishment of a safe and effective cleaning method using a poultice technique. As a result, the original colors and delicate details of the wall paintings were successfully brought back to light, while iconographic elements and inscriptions that had remained hidden beneath the accumulated deposits and unseen by human eyes for approximately 200 years were revealed for the first time. This achievement not only enabled a renewed appreciation of the original appearance of the wall paintings but also contributed significantly to a reassessment of their iconographic and historical value.
Alongside the conservation work, investigations into the causes of deterioration and evaluations of the effectiveness of the conservation treatments were continuously conducted, while promoting technology transfer and capacity building among local specialists. Through three years of collaborative research, the effectiveness and safety of the selected conservation materials and treatment methods were confirmed, establishing a foundation for the development of conservation approaches suited to the environmental conditions and characteristics of wall paintings in this region. Furthermore, improvements in the conservation skills of local specialists were observed, along with a deeper understanding of deterioration mechanisms and conservation treatments, contributing to the development of human resources capable of undertaking future conservation activities.
This project has contributed not only to the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage, but also to the strengthening of international collaborative research and the promotion of academic and professional exchange between research institutions in Japan and Türkiye. During the investigation period, more than 300 visitors came to observe the conservation activities, demonstrating a high level of interest from the local community. Furthermore, the project received recognition from the Governor of Nevşehir Province, which oversees the Cappadocia region, who expressed his appreciation for the initiative, reflecting strong expectations and support from local authorities. In the coming years, remaining retouching work and treatments addressing salt deterioration will be carried out, together with continuous monitoring to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of the conservation treatments.
The workshop in progress
3D documentation using Agisoft Metashape and iPhone Scaniverse has recently been introduced, and is rapidly coming into use. The introduction of these technologies not only can reduce working time but also makes it possible to document cultural heritage with unprecedented precision.
A three-day workshop on 3D digital documentation for Japanese experts involved in cultural heritage protection abroad was held from July 18 to 20, 2026. Dr. NOGUCHI Atsushi from Komatsu University, a leading authority on 3D documentation in Japan, and Dr. NAKAMURA Ryosuke from the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) were invited as lecturers. The main aim of this workshop was to provide Japanese experts with 3D documentation techniques that they could then spread them among foreign experts in their respective fields.
Twenty-two specialists with a variety of backgrounds in areas such as archaeology, conservation science, and architecture joined this workshop. During the three-day workshop, participants studied 3D documentation techniques using Agisoft Metashape and how to create unfolded drawings and cross-sectional views from 3D models using Cloud Compare. They also experienced practical applications for positioning 3D models on maps through a 3DDB viewer developed by AIST.
Group photo of participants at CRE26 Tokyo
Oral presentations in three parallel sessions and poster sessions
Current Research in Egyptology (CRE) is an international conference established to promote research presentations and academic exchange among graduate students and early-career researchers in Egyptology and related disciplines. The 26th conference (CRE26 Tokyo) was held at our institute, the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (TOBUNKEN), from July 11 to 14, 2026. This conference was organized by the CRE Japan Committee, which is composed of early career Japanese researchers, and our institute participated as one of the supporting institutions.
Egyptology is an interdisciplinary field of study, and the conference featured presentations and discussions based on diverse areas of expertise and perspectives, including archaeology, history, anthropology, religious studies, linguistics, museum studies, conservation and restoration, conservation science, archival studies, and digital humanities.
During the four-day conference, a total of 90 oral and poster presentations were delivered, with 178 presenters and participants in attendance. In addition, keynote lectures introducing ancient Egyptian collections held in Japan were organized throughout the conference to deepen participants’ understanding of these materials. The lectures featured collections from the Tokyo National Museum, the Ancient Orient Museum, the Institute of Civilization Research at Tokai University, and the Kyoto University Museum. Participants also had the opportunity to visit two of these museums and view the collections in person.
Researchers from TOBUNKEN presented a poster based on photographic materials taken in Egypt in 1930 by Shin Wada, one of the founding members of our institute. The photographs document archaeological sites and objects displayed in museums. The presentation focused on identifying the locations and subjects depicted in the photographs, while examining changes in the management of archaeological sites and museum exhibitions over the past century, as well as the interests and evaluations of ancient Egyptian objects by Japanese art historians. It also explored the potential of photographic archives as historical resources for research.
CRE26 Tokyo was the largest international conference on Egyptology ever held in Japan, and it also recorded the highest number of presentations and participants from Japan in the history of the CRE conference series. As one of the cooperating institutions, TOBUNKEN is pleased to be able to contribute to the international academic exchange on such a scale.
