| ■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 signing ceremony: In the foreground are Mr. U Mya Than, Acting General Director of the Small-Scale Industries Department, Ministry of Co-operatives (on the right) and Mr. KAMEI Nobuo, Director General, National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo (on the left), with Mr. U Aung Phyu, Director General of the Co-operative Department, Ministry of Co-operatives behind them.
Since Fiscal 2013, the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo has been implementing a technical survey in regard to traditional lacquer-ware in Myanmar. The National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo has drawn up an agreement with the Small-Scale Industries Department of Myanmar’s Ministry of Co-operatives in regard to the protection of Myanmar’s lacquer-ware cultural heritage; the signing ceremony for this agreement was held on September 9, at the offices of Myanmar’s Small-Scale Industries Department. Attending the ceremony to affix their signatures to the agreement were Mr. U Mya Than, Acting Director General of the Small-Scale Industries Department, Ministry of Co-operatives, Mr. U Aung Phyu, Director General of the Co-operative Department, Ministry of Co-operatives, and Mr. KAMEI Nobuo, Director General, National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo.
Through the signing of this agreement, it has been possible to clarify the goals and content of the collaborative activities in which National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo is involved in Myanmar, and it can be anticipated that these collaborative endeavors will proceed smoothly and productively in the future.
An explanation in a restoration laboratory 2
14 members from the Takaoka Regional Restoration for Cultural Properties Association in Toyama Prefecture.
On August 18, members from the Takaoka Regional Restoration for Cultural Properties Association visited the institute. They visited a fumigation laboratory, a restoration laboratory 2, and a restoration studio (urushi) of the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques. The staff members in charge of each section explained the work they do
An explanation at the Conservation Laboratory 1
Fourty-four New Staff Members from the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage
On July 24, fourty-four New Staff Members from the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage visited the Institute as part of their training.
They toured the Library of the Department of Art Research, Archives and Information Systems, the Performing Arts Recording Studio of the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the Chemistry Laboratory, the Conservation Laboratory 1 of the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques.
The staff members in charge of each section explained the work they do.
Signing ceremony at the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Armenia: Arev Samuelyan, Deputy Minister of Culture (left) and the author (right)
Director General KAMEI Nobuo, accompanied by YAMAUCHI Kazuya, Head of the Regional Environment Section of the Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation and HIRAIDE Hidefumi, Chief of General Affairs of the Department of Research Support and Promotion, was invited and visited the Republic of Armenia from May 25 to June 2 at the invitation of the Ministry of Culture. This invitation was in response to a project by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan that invited Arev Samuelyan, Deputy Minister of Culture to Japan last year to inform her of the current state of safeguarding of Japan’s cultural properties. A networking core center project of the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan had conducted workshops on the conservation of bronze objects since 2011. With the conclusion of these workshops, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Armenia and the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo signed an Agreement for Cooperation in the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage for the next 5 years. The Japanese representatives also attended the workshop’s closing ceremony and an opening ceremony for an exhibit of items that had been conserved.
The signing ceremony for the new memorandum of agreement took place at the Ministry of Culture and the opening ceremony for the exhibit took place at the History Museum on the 26th. Addressing numerous members of the press, Deputy Minister Samuelyan expressed appreciation and thanks for Japan’s cooperation in training Armenian personnel. On the 27th, KAMEI delivered a lecture entitled “The current state of and issues with safeguarding Japan’s cultural properties.” In this lecture, he explained the necessity of fostering personnel to pass on techniques and providing materials and tools needed to safeguard various cultural properties. KAMEI also emphasized that he had the sense of an impending crisis regarding the safeguarding cultural properties in Japan, given its shrinking society. The Japanese representatives visited Armenia’s foremost monasteries, convents and churches along with museum conservation facilities from 28th. Through the on-site visit, the Japanese representatives experienced Armenia’s wonderful culture while they realized the necessity of further technical exchanges between Japan and Armenia.
NAKAMURA Jun, Chairman of the Tokyo Art Dealers’ Association (left) and KAMEI Nobuo, Director
MITANI Tadahiko, President of the Tokyo Art Club (left) and KAMEI Nobuo, Director General of the Institute (right)
Offers for donations to the Institute were received from the Tokyo Art Dealers’ Association (NAKAMURA Jun, Chairman) and the Tokyo Art Club (MITANI Tadahiko, President). The Tokyo Art Dealers’ Association aims to fund publication of the Institute’s research results and the Tokyo Art Club intends to fund the Institute’s research projects. On December 24, we gratefully received the donations at the Tokyo Art Dealers’ Association.
We are glad that both organizations are aware of our activities and are most grateful for their donations. We look forward to using these donations to fund our activities.
An explanation gave to the visitors in a chemical science laboratory.
A group of 5 visitors from the Korea National University of Culture Heritage
The group visited the Institute on November 18th to examine the Institute’s preservation and restoration facilities to learn about case studies of international collaboration. The visitors were shown round a chemical science laboratory at the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques as well as the Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation with the staff explaining the work conducted at these facilities.
Visitors given a presentation in a chemical science laboratory
Staff gave an explanation to visitors in a demonstration recording room
Staff gave an explanation to visitors in a restoration laboratory
Visitors were given a presentation at the Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation
A group of 14 visitors from Chulalongkorn University in Thailand
The group visited the Institute on October 7th to learn about the latest techniques which is used in the preservation of traditional Japanese buildings and structures. They were given a tour of a chemical science laboratory the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques and the Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation, where the staff explained the work carried out by these two Centers.
A group of 17 visitors from the Cultural Properties Science at the Department of Education, Tokyo Gakugei University
The group visited the Institute on October 7th to be given a tour round the cultural properties preservation and restoration facilities. The visitors were shown round a library in the Department of Art Research, Archives and Information Systems, a demonstration recording room in the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage and a chemical science laboratory at the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques with the staff explaining the work undertaken in these facilities.
A group of 36 visitors from the “Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Museums—Working Together with Local People” Museum Revitalization Support Project organized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs
The group visited the Institute on October 11th to be given a tour round the cultural properties preservation and restoration facilities. The visitors were shown round a biological science laboratory and restoration laboratory at the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques, where the staff explained the work carried out in these facilities.
A group of 14 visitors from Kanazawa University
The group visited the Institute on October 18th to learn about the current state of international collaboration in the field of cultural properties conservation and about the latest developments in preservation and restoration techniques. The visitors were shown round a chemical science laboratory at the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques as well as the Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation with the staff explaining the work conducted at these facilities.
An explanation at the Radiography Laboratory (August 30)
Thirteen visitaors from ICCROM’s “International Course on Conservation of Japanese Paper”
On August 30, thirteen visitors from ICCROM’s “International Course on Conservation of Japanese Paper” visited the Institute as part of their training session.
They toured the Performing Arts Recording Studio in the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the Restoration Studio, the Conservation Laboratory, the Chemistry Laboratory and the Radiography Laboratory in the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques.
The staff members in charge of each section explained the work they do.
An explanation at the Library (July 24)
Thirty-one New Staff Members from the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage
On July 23–24, thirty-one New Staff Members from the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage visited the Institute as part of their training.
They toured the Library of the Department of Art Research, Archives and Information Systems, the Performing Arts Recording Studio of the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the Conservation Laboratory of the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques.
The staff members in charge of each section explained the work they do.
On May 17 2013, senior researcher HAYAKAWA Noriko of the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques and NISHIMOTO Tomoyuki and OKURA Takanori of Hayashibara Co., Ltd. were awarded the 63rd Industrial Technology Award by the Osaka Industrial Research Association for their joint study titled “Adhesives for Restoration of Cultural Properties:Development of Furunori (aged paste)-like Polysaccharides.” The Industrial Technology Award is given by the Osaka Industrial Research Association to recognize the achievements of individuals who have advanced or improved industrial research,inventions (leading to or potentially leading to industrial applications) or technologies currently in use.
An explanation in the Radiography Laboratory（May 21）
Five Visitors from Okazaki Junior High School affiliated to Aichi University of Education:
On May 21, five visitors from Okazaki Junior High School affiliated to Aichi University of Education visited the Institute in order to view work involved in the conservation and restoration of cultural properties.
They toured the Library of the Department of Art Research, Archives, and Information Systems, the Performing Arts Studio of the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Conservation Laboratory and the Radiography Laboratory of the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques, and the Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation.
The staff members in charge of each section explained the work they do.
An explanation in the Biology Laboratory (April 15)
Eighteen Visitors from the Meiji University Museum Friendship Society “Meiji University Museum Naito family document study group”
On April 15, eighteen members of the Meiji University Museum Friendship Society “Meiji University Museum Naito family document study group” visited the Institute in order to observe the Institute’s facilities.
They toured the Library of the Department of Art Research, Archives, and Information Systems and the Conservation Laboratory and the Biology Laboratory of the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques.
The staff members in charge of each section explained the work they do.
Director-General Kamei, receiving a certificate of appreciation from Commissioner for Cultural Affairs
Ceremonial Photograph with those honored (Director-General Kamei, back row left)
On March 25, 2013, an appreciation ceremony was held at the Institute’s Seminar Hall. The ceremony honored individuals and organizations that cooperated with or were involved in efforts to rescue and restore cultural properties damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake. KONDO Seiichi, Commissioner for Cultural Affairs, presented a certificate of appreciation to the Institute for its two years of service as Secretariat of the Committee for Salvaging Cultural Properties Affected by the 2011 Earthquake off the Pacific Coast of Tohoku and Related Disasters since April 2011.
An explanation in the Performing Arts Recording Studio (March 8)
Four Visitors, including HANZAWA Shigenobu, former Chief Senior Specialist for Cultural Properties of the Agency for Cultural Affairs On March 8, four visitors, including HANZAWA Shigenobu, former Chief Senior Specialist for Cultural Properties of the Agency for Cultural Affairs, visited the Institute in order to observe Institute’s facilities. They toured the Library of the Department of Art Research, Archives, and Information Systems, the Performing Arts Recording Studio of the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Conservation Laboratory of the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques, and the Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation. The staff members in charge of each section explained the work they do.
An explanation at the Chemistry Laboratory (November 1)
Twenty-nine participants in training session for restorers of cultural properties hosted by the Agency for Cultural Affairs
On November 1, twenty-nine participants in training session for restorers of cultural properties hosted by the Agency for Cultural Affairs visited the Institute in order to view work involved in the conservation and restoration of cultural properties.
They toured the Library of the Department of Art Research, Archives and Information Systems, the Performing Arts Recording Studio of the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the Conservation Laboratory, the Chemistry Laboratory and the Scanning Electron Microscope Laboratory of the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques.
The staff members in charge of each section explained the work they do.
An explanation at the Biology Laboratory (October 5)
Thirteen Visitors from the Agency for Cultural Affairs’s “Project to Encourage Active Use of Museums”
On October 5, thirteen visitors from the Agency for Cultural Affairs’s “Project to Encourage Active Use of Museums” visited the Institute in order to view work involved in the conservation and restoration of cultural properties.
They toured the Physics Laboratory, the Chemistry Laboratory, and the Biology Laboratory in the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques.
The staff members in charge of each section explained the work they do.
An explanation at the Fumigation Laboratory
(August 6)
Eight Visitors from the Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies
On August 6, eight visitors from the Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies at the Seoul National University visited the Institute in order to view work involved in the conservation and restoration of cultural properties.
They toured the Reading Room in the Department of Art Research, Archives and Information Systems, and the Biology Laboratory and the Restoration Laboratory in the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques.
The staff members in charge of each section explained the work they do.
An explanation at the Photo Studio
(August 31)
Thirteen Visitors from ICCROM’s “International Course on Conservation of Japanese Paper”
On August 31, thirteen visitors from ICCROM’s “International Course on Conservation of Japanese Paper” visited the Institute as part of their training session.
They toured the Photo Studio in the Department of Art Research, Archives and Information Systems, the Performing Arts Recording Studio in the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the Restoration Studio, the Conservation Laboratory, the Chemistry Laboratory and the Biology Laboratory in the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques.
The staff members in charge of each section explained the work they do.
An explanation of the Performing Arts Recording Studio (July 2)
Nineteen visitors from the Musashino Elderly Citizens’ Association for Life-long Education “Happy 76 Club”
On July 2, nineteen visitors from the Musashino Elderly Citizens’ Association for Life-long Education Happy 76 Club visited the Institute in order to view the work involved in the conservation and restoration of cultural properties.
They toured the Performing Arts Recording Studio in the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage, as well as the Restoration Studio and the Chemistry Laboratory in the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques.
The staff members in charge of each section explained the work they do.
An explanation at the Reading Room (July 5)
Seven Visitors from Bunka Gakuen University, Faculty of Fashion Science
On July 5, seven visitors from Bunka Gakuen University, Faculty of Fashion Science visited the Institute in order to view work involved in the conservation and restoration of cultural properties.
They toured the Reading Room in the Department of Art Research, Archives and Information Systems, the Performing Arts Recording Studio in the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the Chemistry Laboratory in the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques.
The staff members in charge of each section explained the work they do.
