| ■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 lecture underway
Starting in 2012, Theories of Conservation of Museum Materials will be a required class as part of a university course to train curators. This class requires that students who wish to become curators have knowledge of the conservation of materials with a scientific basis. Although over 300 universities and junior colleges currently offer such a course, the reality is that a limited number of personnel have the expertise sufficient to teach the course. In order to prepare for the start of these classes, lectures on Approaches to Theories of Conservation of Museum Materials took place for 3 days starting on March 8. The lectures were intended for instructors who had been assigned to oversee the course and consisted of 15 lectures related particularly to preventive conservation. The lectures provided information instructors would need to know. The lectures were attended by 81 individuals from around the country, including university instructors and curators overseeing the class on an adjunct basis. Since this was the first time such lectures had taken place, participants praised the lectures but the lasting impression was that many were confused. In the past, involvement with such individuals has been severely limited, but in the future departments that study conservation conditions must play an active role in educating these individuals.
Exhibit depicting a train derailed by sabotage efforts of the Resistance during the War (la Cité du Train (Musée français du chemin de fer), Mulhouse, France)
A sightseeing submersible under restoration (Verkehrshaus der Schweiz, Lucerne, Switzerland)
Precisely aligned automobiles (la Cité de l’automobile (Musée national de l’Automobile), Mulhouse, France)
Road signs as exterior decorations (Verkehrshaus der Schweiz, Lucerne, Switzerland)
From March 8 (Tues.) – 14 (Mon.), the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques conducted a field survey of conservation and restoration of trains, automobiles, and aircraft in France and Switzerland. The Center also conducted an on-site study of conservation of blast furnaces in Germany. In Mulhouse, France, the la Cité du Train (Musée français du chemin de fer) and la Cité de l’automobile (Musée national de l’Automobile) were surveyed. The number of train cars and automobiles kept by both museums was both considerable and impressive. Train cars were arranged with ample space for exhibits and there was no sense of being closed in, as is often found in railroad museums. Train cars were kept indoors and properly stored. Cars were diligently repainted since this is an aspect visitors would notice, though this aspect did have some drawbacks. Nevertheless, there were various twists in the way exhibits were laid out and the museum is interesting enough to warrant repeat visits. The automobile museum was extremely neat and felt like a museum for car buffs, which is probably the result of the collection being based on automobiles that were originally privately owned. Although the cars were obviously well preserved, many of the cars were resting directly on their tires and marks on those tires were evident.
The Verkehrshaus der Schweiz, located beside Lake Lucerne in Switzerland, was surveyed. The museum grounds are over 2000 square meters and feature a space where children can play in the center with exhibit halls surrounding it. The impressive museum showcases items related to transportation. Although there was an undeniable sense that the collection was somewhat mix-and-match overall, seeing so many things in one place was a joy. Most of the exhibits were made of iron and the museum had apparently taken pains to rust-proof portions touched by visitors. The last site surveyed was an ironworks in Germany. Although its style is found throughout Europe, the facility was extremely interesting in the sense that it appeared to have mostly ceased operations and remained in that state. One hand is used on facilities for visitor safety (handrails, the elevator, and walkways) although the hands are not used elsewhere, a fact that makes the site extremely interesting. Having such a site in Japan would obviously be rather difficult because of the numerous legal constraints and need for evacuation routes in the event of a fire.
Exposed test pieces under an open platform (stage)
The Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques studied materials to restore the Otorii gate of Itsukushima Shrine. The study selected materials for use in a coastal setting with harsh conditions such as high temperature and high humidity, immersion in water, and the presence of salts. Forced degradation tests are currently being performed in the lab and an exposure test is being performed on-site. Exposure on-site began in June 2010, and the water content in test pieces is being measured and deterioration is also being observed, in every 2 months. These tests will continue in the future, and plans are to verify deterioration via a strength test in 2011. Forced degradation tests in the lab include a UV irradiation test and temperature cycle test, and plans are to conduct a salt spray test in 2011.
Lecture by Professor John Grunewald, Dresden University of Technology
A conference on Analysis of Conditions at Facilities Handling Cultural Properties and Reduced Energy Use by Museums was held on February 25, 2011 in the seminar hall of the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo. The current problem of global warming requires efforts to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases at every facility. Facilities like museums and art museums are no exception. Facilities like museums and art museums need to have reduced energy use while adequately maintaining conditions so that cultural properties can be safely passed on to later generations. At the conference, Professor John Grunewald of Dresden University of Technology, who oversees environmental analysis of projects to reduce energy use by buildings in Germany, gave a lecture on Techniques for Reduced Energy Use by and Analysis of Conditions in Buildings in Germany. Dr. Rudolf Plagge of Dresden University of Technology also gave a lecture on Methods of Measuring the Physical Properties of Building Materials in relation to Environmental Analysis. Dr. Plagge’s lecture cited the problem of deterioration of marble statuary along Berlin’s Unter den Linden Boulevard. In addition, Motoe Kanno, Akihiro Yagawa, and Akihiko Ohta of the Shimizu Corporation gave a lecture entitled Techniques for Airflow Simulation to Analyze Conditions at Facilities Handling Cultural Properties and Examples of Their Use. They described techniques for environmental analysis and they cited sample analyses performed during renovation of the Nezu Museum’s repository. There were 50 attendees in total, and an active exchange of opinions took place.
Lecture at the workshop
The purpose of the workshop shown in the above title is to give lectures to persons in charge of conserving cultural properties in local districts so that they learn fundamental knowledge of conservation on December 13, we held this 15th workshop at the Kochi Prefectural Museum of History, hosted by the Kochi Education Board and Tobunken. Although we usually cover each item of temperature/humidity and atmospheric environment in detail, we gave lectures focusing on measures against biotic damage on this occasion. The major reason for these lectures is that the problems of bugs and mold and countermeasures against them are serious concerns for the persons in charge of the conservation of cultural properties in Kochi. The following four persons conducted lectures using their areas of expertise and viewpoints: Mr. Asaga Hiroshi, the Cultural Property Conservation Instructor at the Arts and Culture Section of the Agency for Cultural Affairs; Mr. Okamoto Keisuke, the Art and Culture Section Manager of the Kochi Prefectural Museum of History; Mr. Miura Sadatoshi, the Director of the Japan Institute of Insect Damage to Cultural Properties (a honorary researcher of our Institute); and Ms. Sano Chie, the Head of the Conservation Science Section at the Tobunken Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques.
A great many people participated in the workshop from the expanse Kochi prefectural area. Wee felt their high level of interest through the eagerness of their questions and discussions. We are holding this workshop session at the request of the local residents. Please do not hesitate to ask us if you have any requests.
Inside the stone chamber with all plaster walls removed
The Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques has been removing the wall paintings of Kitora Tumulus as part of a project called the Investigation on Conservation for special historic site Kitora Tumulus, commissioned by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. We had aimed to complete the removal in the next spring term following the intensive removal of the paintings in the spring and autumn of 2009. However, we removed all plaster from the stone chamber walls during this term earlier than the planned schedule (autumn 2010). This work was attributed to the proficiency of the engineers in removal, as well as to the development and improvement of the machines, tools and materials promoted by Tobunken. The work in the stone chamber was finished in a series of conservation projects of Kitora Tumulus Wall Paintings, starting with the removal of Seiryu (blue dragon) in 2004. We will begin treating and mounting the wall paintings in the conservation facility.
Usuki Stone Buddha Statues. This is a national treasure and a designated historic site (seated Amitabha Tathagata Buddha statue of the second group of Hoki stone buddhas)
Since 2000, the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo has been promoting a joint research study with Usuki City to establish the conservation plan of the Usuki Stone Buddha Statues, a national treasure and a designated historic site for the next term. On November 6th, we held report presentations on the results of research for these 10 years in the Debriefing Session on the Conservation Environment of Usuki Stone Buddha Statues at the central community hall of Usuki City.
Mr. Takeo Oku at the Agency for Cultural Affairs first made a speech on the significance of the conservation plan for the next term, followed by Mr. Shoichi Shimoyama at Kyushu University presenting a lecture on the Aso ignimbrite, on which the Usuki Stone Buddha Statues were sculpted. Then Mr. Lee Chan-hee at the Kongju National University and Mr. Kim Sa-dug at the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties in South Korea gave lectures about the survey on the deterioration states of stone cultural properties in South Korea and the conservation of them. Following these lectures, the researcher of our Institute made a report on the results of research, including the outline of research, the deterioration state of the surface of rock-carved Buddha statues, and the water and air environments. By reviewing the results of the survey on the causes of deterioration, the researcher also made some proposals about measures against deterioration, such as antifreeze measures during cold periods and measures for inquiline control, as well as deterioration monitoring techniques. Closing the session, the Usuki City Education Board presented draft plans about a conservation project for the next term and subsequent monitoring and maintenance, with a title called the Vision of Long-Span Conservation Plan for Usuki Stone Buddha Statues. They asked the participants for their understanding.
Although our research continued for an unprecedented 10 years for one cultural property, we have gained a lot of results here. We hope that these results will be utilized to conserve not only the Usuki Stone Buddha Statues, but many other stone cultural properties as well.
Inside the paper restoration studio at Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin
From October 5th (Tuesday) to 13th (Wednesday), researchers of the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques conducted a workshop related to the restoration of paper cultural properties at the lecture room of National Berlin Asia Museum in Berlin as part of the Cooperative Program for the Conservation of Japanese Art Objects Overseas. The workshop held this year consisted of three courses – the basic course (20 people), the beginners’ course (12 people) and the intermediate course (7 people) – on hanging scrolls, targeting conservators at museums and art museums, and restorers of paper. In the basic course, a lecture was given on paper, adhesive and restoration, and conservation. In the beginners’ course, the structure and handling of hanging scrolls was explained using a model and practical training on the coloring of silk was conducted. In the intermediate course, practical training on removal and attachment of top and bottom axes and string attachment was conducted. The workshop was received well by the participants as a fulfilling workshop.
Lecture at the workshop
On October 19 (Tuesday), 2010, the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo hosted a workshop titled as in the above, with the co-host being the Kyushu National Museum. This workshop was intended for the persons in charge of conservation at the museums, art museums, etc. and the persons in charge of protection of cultural properties in local governmental organizations in the Kyushu, Chugoku and Shikoku districts. During this workshop, the colors of five Japanese paintings which changed due to the tent fumigation in the warehouse by use of a drug with the active ingredient of aluminum phosphide, which is not allowed to be used for the fumigation of cultural properties, was discussed. In response to this accident, we considered the urgent need to promote understanding of the fumigation of cultural properties, and held the workshop in cooperation with researchers whom are collaborative members of the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques. The following presentations were made: “Management of borrowed art objects for exhibitions” by Mr. Asaka Hiroshi, the Cultural Property Conservation Instructor at the Arts and Culture Section of the Agency for Cultural Affairs; “Details on the chemicals designated by the Japan Institute of Insect Damage to Cultural Properties” by Mr. Miura Sadatoshi, the Director of the Japan Institute of Insect Damage to Cultural Properties; “Characteristics of gas fumigant and impacts on cultural properties” by Ms. Sano Chie, the Head of the Conservation Science Section in the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques at the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo; and “Fumigation performed in museums – as part of IPM (Integrated Pest Management)” by Ms. Honda Mitsuko, the manager of the museum science section of the arts and culture department at the Kyushu National Museum. We reconfirmed that safety comes first for cultural properties, and appealed to the participants to take part in training, etc., collect information and improve techniques in order to facilitate the safe execution of gas fumigation used as an insecticide and fungicide (at the Kyushu National Museum, with 126 participants).
Practical session
The International Course on Restoration of Japanese Paper was held from August 30 to September 17. Among approximately 80 applicants engaged in the conservation of cultural properties around the world, ten participants from Ireland, Australia, Malaysia, etc. were selected. Various topics covered in the lectures included material studies, bibliographies and so on. In the practical sessions the participants made infillings of missing parts, lining, attached axial rods, and produced a work into a hanging scroll. They also challenged Japanese-style book binding. In the study tour, the participants visited Mino city, a place famous for handmade paper also used for restoration as well. They also visited the restoration studios, such as the traditional mounting studio and the cultural property conservation studio of the Kyoto National Museum. The handed down techniques and knowledge lead to the promotion of conservation and use of Japanese paper cultural properties, and furthermore, it is expected that they will be applied to the repairing and conservation of Japanese art objects overseas.
The first Japanese-made plane of the Imperial Japanese Army (1911)
The Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques began to make public, on the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo website, the photos of airplanes such as the Farman, taken at the beginning of Japanese aviation at the Tokorozawa airfield. These photos were donated by Mr. Kitagawa Masanobu, whom lives in Tokorozawa in January 2009. The photos were taken by the late Mr. Kitagawa Hideo, the father of Kitagawa Masanobu, at the Tokorozawa airfield. The main recording media were glass plates. We are extremely grateful to Mr. Kitagawa Masanobu and other relevant individuals for the conservation of these glass plates and the making public of these digitized photos on the occasion of the memorable 100th year of Japanese aviation. The photos posted on this occasion include the first airplane to fly in Japan, Aikoku (Patriot)-go and many other precious shots. These will definitely be very valuable materials for researchers and people who are interested in aviation. The Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques will continue to make public such valuable data in the future.
Observation of deteriorated maki-e portion by magnifying it
The Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques has been investigating the deterioration of maki-e (gold-relief lacquerwork) and lacquer (urushi) coating in the main shrine of Tsukubusuma-jinja. The main shrine of Tsukubusuma-jinja, located on the Chikubujima isle in Lake Biwa, Shiga, is one of the buildings which represents the Momoyama culture. It is said that part of the palace of the Fushimi Castle was brought to this isle and reassembled to become a shrine. is shrine is famous for the lacquer (urushi) coated columns and beams running between columns, on which the paulownia and chrysanthemum crests and patterns of flowers and birds were decorated using maki-e techniques and the full-color woodcarving on the walls of nave (gejin) and doors. As 75 years have already passed since the last repairs were made, damage to the roof and coating is noticeable. Furthermore, decoration using gorgeous maki-e techniques inside the building, which is highly ranked together with that in the Koudaiji Otamaya in Kyoto, has seriously deteriorated, and has become problematic among the individuals concerned. Therefore, the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques cooperated with the repairs currently being promoted by the Shiga prefectural education board and Tsukubusuma-jinja, and conducted basic research to identify the cause of the deterioration phenomena, and then made investigation to prevent deterioration within the special environment of Lake Biwa (see Photo). We will make use of the achievements obtained on this occasion in order to conserve the valuable maki-e and lacquer (urushi) coating of the main shrine of Tsukubusuma-jinja in the best state possible.
Case study
We held the 27th training course during a period of two weeks starting July 12, and participants included 32 curators and the persons in charge of cultural properties administration nationwide. In these training sessions they focused on basic knowledge and technology concerning the conservation environment, deterioration, and restoration of various cultural properties. The course included lectures and practical training on conservation.
A practical museum environment training case study was carried out at the Sodegaura-city Folk Museum. Participants were divided into eight groups, each of which investigated the temperature, humidity, illumination, disaster prevention equipment, and conservation environment of cultural properties outdoors. They presented their results the following day, and questions and answers were provided.
The conservation of materials from the standpoint of natural science will be increasingly emphasized, which can be understood just by seeing that the “theory of museum material conservation” will be a mandatory subject in the curator programs of universities starting 2012. We will closely investigate the curriculum and content of this training course in order to enrich it while taking into consideration various signs of the times.
Exhibiting "Investigation on the cause of deterioration in mural paintings of Takamatsuzuka Tumulus" in lobby
At the present, the panels in the title are being exhibited in the entrance hall on the first floor of the Institute. This exhibition shows the outline of the results obtained by surveying the cause of deterioration in the mural paintings of Takamatsuzuka Tumulus, which were conserved at the local site since they had been found in 1972, from natural scientific and other viewpoints under the “Study team on cause of deterioration in mural paintings of Takamatsuzuka Tumulus” established in July 2008. The deterioration triggered the dismantlement of the mural paintings in 2007. The entire survey results were made public on March 24, 2010, by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, as the “Survey report on the cause of deterioration in mural paintings of Takamatsuzuka Tumulus”. This exhibition uses many illustrations and explains the survey on materials, organisms and conservation environments from the total survey. We hope that many people will visit the exhibition.
Lecture at seminar meeting
Observing many glues
The Technical Standard Section of the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques held a seminar with the title Glue – (I) at a meeting room of the Institute on June 21 (Monday). There are many kinds of glue materials, and glues are traditional adhesives that have been widely used throughout the ages all over the world including Japan. At present the production of traditional Japanese glue (nikawa) is rare and there are many unclear points regarding its current status, including its physical properties. Against this background, Ms. Hayakawa Noriko, a researcher of the Center, outlined the physical properties of glues as restoration materials. This was followed by a speech given by Ms. Yamamoto Noriko of the Association for Conservation of National Treasures on the subject how to use glues for restoration and conservation from her viewpoint as a restoration engineer. Mr. Seki Izuru, professor of the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, gave a lecture on the achievements of studies on materials from his standpoint as a painter. Finally, Mr. Morita Tsuneyuki, the professor of the Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music, who once interviewed on the production of glues when he was a professor at the National Museum Ethnology, Osaka, gave an explanation on the glue production processes with documents. The lecturers’ speeches were persuasive because they were on subjects that the lecturers had studied throughout their long carriers; we also had an opportunity to observe many types of glue brought to the meeting room by Professor Seki Izuru, making the seminar a great success.
Lecture by Mr. Mabuchi, a visiting researcher
On June 21, we held the training course shown above, intended to transfer the latest knowledge and findings related to the conservation environment to trainees who have completed the seminar course for curators engaged in conservation. First, Mr. Yoshida, a senior researcher of the Institute, introduced the latest technological trends regarding white LEDs, which have recently seen a rapid increase in their popularity, from the viewpoint of preventing global warming. Then, Ms. Nishida Hiroko, the Deputy Director of the Nezu Museum, gave a lecture during which she brought some LEDs into the exhibition room, taking advantage of the construction of the museum. Following the lecture, Mr. Mabuchi Hajime, a visiting researcher of the Center, gave a lecture on the method of conducting microbial surveys in cultural facilities, which is his subject of research, and Ms. Sano, the head of the conservation science section, explained how to examine organic acid emitted from wood. Because the lectures for this training session covered topics that many cultural facilities have deep concerns about, approximately 100 people participated, more than in past years. At annual follow-up training sessions we will meet the needs of curators and provide them with the latest important information.
Creating hand-plate specimens for exposure test
Installing hand-plate specimens
As part of the Survey Research on Traditional Restoration Materials and Synthetic Resins project, the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques is conducting a survey on the deterioration of exterior coating material of Itsukushima Shrine. The Itsukushima Shrine is widely known for its beauty with its contrast of a vermilion shrine pavilion floating in a blue sea, but the building is exposed to a severe environment because it is in contact with seawater. And an issue raised by the relevant persons is that the vermilion exterior coating material has become black in a relatively short time. The Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques tried to identify the cause of this blackening phenomenon in the laboratory, also created hand-plate specimens coated with a large amount of the past exterior coating materials which were conceivably used for Itsukushima Shrine, and installed them on the actual floor of shrine and to the pillars which are in contact with the sea surface on May 13 (see Photos 1 and 2). We will perform an exposure test in the environment of Itsukushima Shrine for at least one year and observe the deterioration of exterior coating materials. We will use the results to maintain the exterior coating of Itsukushima Shrine pavilion in as good a status as possible.
The damage caused by bark beetles and shipworms
The Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques is also examining the extent of deterioration of wooden buildings in the project “Study on assessment of influence of ambient environment on cultural heritage and countermeasures.” Among the wooden buildings subject to a severe outdoor environment, particularly the Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima faces stern conditions, such as harsh weather and the influence of seawater. It is affected by intense UV rays, wind, rain, seawater and waves, and was also heavily damaged by gribbles and shipworms under the sea. We are now studying how to prevent the wood from deteriorating in this situation, and how to restore the deteriorated wood and what restoration materials to use. Therefore, we are conducting physical tests such as a strength test, curing test and exposure test in various forms at the local site. In this way, we are investigating the optimum techniques to use. We hope that the results obtained by such examinations will be adopted for other wooden buildings.
Conservation Science No. 49
The latest edition of the research bulletin Conservation Science issued by the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques and Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation of the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo was published on March 31, 2010. This bulletin includes the latest research results of various projects conducted by our Institute. It includes research information on the conservation of Takamatsuzuka Tumulus and Kitora Tumulus and other basic studies and investigation results concerning conservation science. Please visit our website to read the entire text (PDF version):
http://www.tobunken.go.jp/~hozon/pdf/49/MOKUZI49.html
Microtremor survey conducted on Hokke-do at Todaiji temple (forced vibration)
The National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo is advancing “research on anti-seismic measures for clay and dry-lacquered statues” as part of its research project on disaster prevention plans for cultural properties. If we can find out how Shumidan and Hokke-do vibrate, we will be able to estimate how a strong quake will affect the statues of Buddha.
We obtained the cooperation of Mie University and others, and measured microtremors in Hokke-do and Shumidan. We will analyze the results, evaluate the vibration characteristics and quake resistance of Hokke-do and Shumidan, and use the data to develop seismic countermeasures for the statues of Buddha.
