| ■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 |
|
THE 31st INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON THE CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION OF CULTURAL PROPERTY-Study of Environmental Conditions Surrounding Cultural Properties and Their Protective Measures-
We issued a report on the 31st International Symposium on the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, Study of Environmental Conditions Surrounding Cultural Properties and Their Protective Measures, which the Institute held from February 5 to 7, 2008. A wide variety of study results were summarized, including reports on case examples of damage and the methods to measure, investigate, and evaluate them, as well as environmental analyses including simulation and case examples of protective measures to conserve the mural paintings of the Lascaux Caves, the Takamatsuzuka Tumulus, and other sites. A number of activities in various foreign nations such as Italy, France, and Germany are described. The drawing up of conservation plans for mural paintings are especially valuable as case examples. We were able to transmit solid and informative study results overseas as the basis of future study exchange.
Investigating status of restoration
We gave instruction and advice and participated in a survey to conserve and restore the Mezurashizuka Tomb, a special historical site. The Mezurashizuka Tomb is one of the decorated tombs in which patterns were drawn using red and gray pigments.
In time, the tomb mound was lost, but the stones used for the chamber became exposed, with the surroundings protected by walls. A large amount of mold had formed on the surfaces of stones in these walls, and it was found that the pigments were unclear. Our preliminary survey for full-scale restoration work consisted of sampling the mold and using ultraviolet rays and brushes to try to remove it. We also measured the temperature on the surface of the stones and the amount of moisture using a near-infrared moisture meter, and examined the effects of disposal on the stones. As a result of this investigation, full-scale restoration work will be carried out in the next year.
Both emergency treatment and middle and long-term conservation measures, including the environmental control within the walls, have been requested.
Questions and answers at the debrief session (in Mie Prefectural Museum)
The above seminar was hosted by the Museum Conservation Science Seminar, Mie Museum Association and National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo in Mie Prefecture on February 13 and 14. Seminar participants included people who had curator training and museum curators in the prefecture. Seminar activities included information exchange and lectures on practical conservation activities in cultural property-related facilities. On the first day, a debriefing was conducted in the Mie Prefectural Art Museum (60 participants). First, visiting researcher Mr. Miura Sadatoshi gave a keynote lecture entitled “The Past and Future of Creating a Conservation Environment”. Then the four museum curators in Mie Prefecture and researcher Mr. Inuzuka Masahide reported on facility environment control, upgrading, and maintenance; this report was met with active questions and answers. On the second day, we visited Kogakkan University, Sagawa Memorial Shinto Museum, Jingu Chokokan Museum, Jingu Agriculture Museum, and Jingu Art Museum. The participants compared the conservation environments of each museum, and took part in information exchange and discussions from various angles. This seminar provides alumni society-style atmosphere in which long-time museum curators renew old friendships and others have the opportunity to interact with each other. Another great feature is that curators see the field sites of cultural property conservation in local districts with which they usually do not have contact, and compare these with conservation in their own museums. We deeply express our thanks to the many people who cooperated with the implementation of this seminar.
Taking X-ray radiography
New 3D measurement system developed by Toppan Co. Ltd.
The Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques is studying anti-seismic measures for clay statues as part of its research project on disaster prevention plans for cultural properties. This winter, some investigations were conducted for the purpose of planning anti-seismic measures for Sozo Shitenno Ryuzo (standing clay statues of the four guardian kings), a national treasure enshrined in Kaidando of Todaiji temple.
These clay statues were previously examined by the Nara National Museum in 2002 when they were exhibited in a special exhibition. In the present investigation, a 3D measurement system developed by Toppan Printing Co. Ltd. was used and X-ray radiography was conducted. Since to use the 3D measurement system it was not necessary to move the statues that are exhibited in a crowded location, it was possible to obtain information on parts that were considered difficult to measure until now.
We will continue to make use of these measurement results to execute anti-seismic analysis for clay statues.
Lecture with a restored Urushi lacquer work
Practice of adhesion with mugiurushi and attachment with kokuso
The Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques held an Urushi restoration workshop at the Cologne Museum of East Asian Art in Germany as part of the Cooperative Program for the Conservation of Japanese Art Objects Overseas, in 2008. We held workshop I (elementary practice) with 10 trainees on November 5-7, workshop II (for first-time participants) with 10 trainees on November 8, workshop II (for students) with 7 trainees on November 8, and workshop III (mid-level practice) with 7 trainees on November 11-14. Two instructors who were experts performed restoration work at the local site. All participants were persons who were highly interested in the restoration of Japanese traditional Urushi lacquer works, such as curators and cultural property restorers from various parts of Europe outside of Germany as well, including the UK, Switzerland, Austria, and Poland. At these workshops we held various programs, including a report on examples of overseas Urushi lacquer works, the creation of Urushi spatulas, adhesion with mugiurushi and attachment with kokuso using hand plates for restoration practice, and core stretching practice using thin bamboo sticks. All the trainees were eager and asked many questions, resulting in a successful training session.
On December 15 and 16, we held trial training for 40 curators who are in charge of conservation in museums and art galleries: They studied the characteristics of atmosphere and indoor air contamination materials, damage examples, control methods, monitoring plan drafts, and examples of countermeasure implementation.
We continued difficult lectures and demonstrations, including state-of-the-art research results and technical content, in order to teach the ability to establish specifications for measuring contamination materials, read reports, evaluate the results, and determine countermeasures with architects and air-conditioning engineers. All participants worked diligently and earnestly.
The provision of a glossary, acquisition of information on necessary equipments and spaces, and other aspects of the workshop were highly regarded, and there were many requests for future disclosure on the Internet (38 of the participants expressed 100% satisfaction).
On December 4, 2008, a seminar on the theme of conserving energy at museums with a view to maintaining an appropriate environment for cultural properties was held in the seminar room of the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo. This theme had been chosen at a meeting of the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques as one that the Institute would study in cooperation with museums.
Two lectures were given at this seminar: Mr. Maekawa Shin of the Getty Conservation Institute (USA) spoke on energy conservation for museums with consideration for storage and display environment and Mr. Shiraishi Yasuyuki of the University of Kitakyushu spoke on comprehensive assessment system building environmental efficiency (CASBEE) and its case studies. Reports on concrete endeavors on this matter were also given by the Kyushu National Museum and Saitama Prefectural Museum of History and Folklore.
A total of 141 people participated in the seminar and held active discussions.
Detaching painting of constellations
Ceiling after painting of constellations was detached
The National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo is now engaged in the detachment of wall paintings from the Kitora Tumulus, as part of the project Survey on Conservation of Kitora Tumulus, a Special Historic Site entrusted from the Agency for Cultural Affairs. In July 2007, we started to detach the painting of constellations from the ceiling, and we finished the operation at the end of November, 2008. The status of plaster over the painting of constellations varied in different positions, as did work on the ceiling, so we had difficulties detaching the work. However, we eventually detached it as a total of 113 pieces of plaster. The completion of this work means that all paintings confirmed in the stone chamber have now been detached, including the paintings of the four guardian gods of the directions and the twelve horary signs. Hereafter we plan to detach the unpainted plaster around the painting of constellations. We will then combine the detached plaster pieces to reform the painting of constellations with plans to exhibit in the future.
Participants at the seminar of the Japan-Korea joint research
Investigation for making a deterioration map at the stone pagoda of Bulguksa temple
The Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques is conducting joint research on environmental impact on cultural properties and development of restoration techniques together with the Conservation Science Division of the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, Korea. Currently, research is being conducted to find the causes of deterioration of stone heritage in an outdoor environment, including Buddhist images carved on natural cliff, and restoration materials and techniques are being developed and evaluated. In addition, a seminar is held once a year alternately in Japan and Korea.
This year’s seminar was held on November 6, 2008 in the lecture hall of the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, Korea. Director Suzuki Norio and 5 researchers from the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo, attended. Kuchitsu Nobuaki and Morii Masayuki of the Institute and Yamaji Yasuhiro of Beppu University presented case studies of the conservation of stone heritage in Japan. Before the seminar, visits were made to conservation sites in Kyongju – stone pagoda of Bulguksa temple and the three-storied pagoda of Gameunsa temple site – and discussions were held with Korean researchers on restoration materials and techniques. A visit was also made to the Museum of Kyungpook National University in Taegu to investigate the objects excavated from Dae-gaya.
We hope to continue such joint research and to increase interaction between Japan and Korea.
The October 6 seminar
On October 6, 2008, the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques held a seminar as part of its research on controlling bio-deterioration of cultural heritage. The topic of the seminar, which was attended by 79 persons, was the maintenance of outdoor wooden cultural properties and issues for the future. Mr. Kanda Masaaki of the Nara Prefecture Board of Education spoke on the recent issues of biological damage in managing structures, such as temples and shrines, and carved wooden statues. Dr. Fujii Yoshihisa, a visiting researcher of the Institute from Kyoto University, accurately pointed out issues concerning deterioration diagnosis and maintenance systems for cultural property buildings. Ms. Honda Mitsuko of the Kyushu National Museum spoke on what should be done when exhibiting cultural properties outdoors and when storing them in museums. Dr. Kawakami Nobuyuki, an architect, gave a talk on the current condition and issues concerning the maintenance and management of restored buildings dating to the Yayoi period, using the Yoshinogari site as an example. This was followed by an in-depth discussion. There are numerous issues to be dealt with in conserving outdoor wooden cultural properties and specific measures will be studied in the project.
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.
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.
A scene from the practice session (identification of insects harmful to cultural properties)
For two weeks from July 14 to 25, 2008, a training course was held with the attendance of 29 members in charge of conservation at museums in Japan. The aim of the course was to help these members acquire basic knowledge and techniques necessary for their work. The curriculum of the course included management of indoor environment such as temperature, humidity and air pollution as well as prevention of damage to cultural properties by insects and molds and treatment measures and matters related to the deterioration and restoration of cultural properties such as Japanese-style paintings and urushi objects. Furthermore, an on-site practice on environmental assessment was conducted at the Saitama Prefectural Museum of History and Folklore. Though it is difficult to study subjects of such a variety in a nine-day course, the paring ticipants were very eager to learn. We hope that after the course they will return to their respective institutions and work for the management and improvement of museum environment by improving the quality of their work based on what they have learned in the course.
The Training Course for Museum Curators is held in July every year, and information sheets for applicants are distributed from January to February. We look forward to having many people participates in the coming course.
Mr. Daniel giving a lecture at the Institute
The Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques is engaged in a project entitled “Analysis of the Environmental Condition Surrounding Cultural Properties.” On July 10, 2008, Mr. Vinod Daniel of the Australian Museum, who was visiting Japan, spoke at a seminar held in the conference room of the Institute on the topic of international trends in museums with regard to collections and collections care. In his lecture, Mr. Daniel introduced case studies on the conservation and utilization of folk cultural properties in the Pacific, subjects about which the Australian Museum is engaged in. The influence of global warming and the issue of energy consumption at museums were also discussed among the participants.
Damaged stone fence of Nuruyu-Bansho in Hanayama village built by the Sendai Clan (designated as a historic site)
Prediction of damages to cultural properties based on the Disaster Prevention System for Cultural Properties. Areas framed in light blue experienced strong tremor (JMA seismic intensity 5 lower or more); light blue circles indicate cultural properties (buildings) located in these areas; blue squares indicate actually damaged cultural properties.
Since 2003, the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo has been engaged in a 5-year plan entitled “Disaster Prevention for Cultural Properties”. Included in the plan is the development of Disaster Prevention System for Cultural Properties (nationally designated cultural properties) based on a geographical information system (GIS). Several earthquakes have occurred in Japan since 2003 causing extensive damages. In 2008, also, an earthquake of magnitude 7.2 occurred around 8:43 a.m. on June 14, with its epicenter in southern Iwate prefecture (the Iwate – Miyagi Nairiku Earthquake in 2008). Many people fell victim to this earthquake, mainly due to landslides in mountainous areas. It also caused extensive damages to buildings and infrastructure. Damages induced by the earthquake to cultural properties designated by the national government have been reported at 30 locations in Iwate, Miyagi and Akita prefectures (according to investigation by the Agency for Cultural Affairs on August 20, 2008).
Immediately after the earthquake, the Institute used its Disaster Prevention System for Cultural Properties in order to identify areas strong motion areas by the earthquake and cultural properties designated by the national government (buildings) located in these areas (in the figure, areas framed in light blue experienced JMA seismic intensity of 5 lower or more, and light blue circles indicate cultural properties in these areas). It was later found that a relatively small number of buildings (9 out of 30) had suffered damages, mostly minor ones. However, since some damages were discovered in areas remote from those where possible damages had been predicted, it is believed that improvements should be made to the system, including those related to methods for prediction.
On July 31 and August 1, more than one month after the earthquake, an investigation was conducted of damaged cultural properties mainly in Miyagi prefecture. Among those properties that suffered severest damage is the stone fence of Nuruyu-Bansho in Hanayama village, which was built by the Sendai Clan and is designated as a historic site. Since the damage occurred at the same place which had been restored after heavy rain several years ago, it is hoped that the condition and cause of damage as well as past restorations would be investigated more in detail for future restoration work.
There was a lively exchange of opinions at the Post-Training Course.
Once a year a post-training course is held for those who have completed the “Training Course for Museum Curators” in the past with the aim of conveying the latest topics regarding conservation of materials. This fiscal year, the course was held on June 2. The following three topics were selected: indoor temperature and humidity analysis by means of computer simulation (Inuzuka Masahide), use of dichlorvos pesticide in conservation facilities for cultural properties (Yoshida Naoto) and the manual for museum conservators on preventing mold growth on cultural properties which the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology is in the process of compiling (Sano Chie). There was a lively exchange of opinions between the participants and members of the Department since the topics covered serious issues the participants face in the field, including the forecast of the conservation environment, pest control and preservation of materials as well as the prevention of health hazard to the staff. Sixty-six persons participated, a number which exceeded 10% of all those who have completed the Training Course during the past 25 years. We cannot help but feel the weight of responsibility resting upon us. We will continue to provide the latest information not only at such post-training courses but also by taking advantage of various opportunities.
In the panel discussion, there was a lively debate on new interpretations regarding the manufacture of the triangular-rimmed bronze mirrors with mythical figure and animal designs.
In-depth studies on the materials and manufacturing techniques of cultural properties provide important information that contributes to their conservation and restoration as well as their historical studies. This time, the triangular-rimmed bronze mirrors with mythical figure and animal designs, which have been excavated in large quantities from early tumuli, were selected as the topic of study. There has been an ongoing dispute about whether they are Wei mirrors or Japanese mirrors. We examined how historical information, such as when they were produced, can be derived from a study of information related to their manufacture, such as their materials and shape. As lecturers, we invited Professor Fukunaga Shin’ya, who brought epoch-making progress in the study of the triangular-rimmed bronze mirrors with mythical figure and animal designs by introducing the method of categorizing such mirrors according to the shape of knob holes and the lines on the outer circumference, and Dr. Mabuchi Hisao, who reached a new interpretation regarding the material of the mirrors by measuring the lead isotope ratio of many bronze wares. Mr. Namba Yozo and Mr. Saito Tsutomu joined the panel discussion and there was a lively exchange of views. Dr. Mabuchi suggested a new interpretation regarding the time of manufacture of the mirrors. It was truly a meaningful seminar that enabled us to understand the profoundness of historical study using natural scientific methods. (Friday, June 20, 2008 at the seminar room of the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo; 60 participants)
Wall paintings of Kitora Tumulus (painting of the astronomical chart on the ceiling) after having detached the northern half
The National Research Institute of Cultural Properties, Tokyo is engaged in research project for the conservation of the Kitora Tumulus, a Special Historic Site. This is a project that has been entrusted to the Institute from the Agency for Cultural Affairs. In this project, the interior of the stone chamber is inspected regularly and its wall paintings on the plaster are being detached.
Particularly, the painting of the astronomical chart on the ceiling has been detached sequentially ever since a part of the painting had fallen and was found on the floor in July 2007. Initially, only small areas of the painting where the risk of exfoliation was very high were detached. However, with improvement in the tools used to detach paintings, it is now possible to detach a square piece of the wall painting about 10 cm on a side. As a result, the northern half of the astronomical chart has been detached as of the end of June 2008. The paintings will continue to be detached on a regular basis. As for the painting of the astronomical chart on the ceiling, our goal is to detach the entire painting within this fiscal year.
