TOBUNKENNEWS DIGEST no.4 TOBUNKEN NEWSwill be conducted from the next fiscal year on. After our visit, we learned that demonstrations expressing dissatisfaction with the result of

TOBUNKENNEWS DIGEST no.4

1

Director readily agreed to the conclusion of astatement and memorandum of mutual agree-ment with the Institute upon inaugurating theproject. We also inspected the Amarbayasgalant Khiid,

one of the largest wooden structures ofMongolia located approximately 350 km northof Ulan Bator, the capital. This temple under-went investigations and restoration projects byJapanese experts dispatched through UNESCOfrom the early 1970's to the mid-1980's.However, it is poorly managed at present and anexpert of the Ministry of Education, Culture andScience told us that immediate actions were

In preparations for the exchange programthat has just started this fiscal year, we vis-ited Mongolia from June 9 to 14. As part of

this program, together with the Department ofIntangible Cultural Heritage of the Institute,workshops related to the framework for the con-servation of cultural properties including organi-zations and laws are being planned as are train-ing programs to foster experts for the Center forCultural Heritage of Mongolia under theMinistry of Education, Culture and Science ofMongolia. The meeting with the Director of theDepartment of Culture and Art of the Ministrywas filled with a friendly atmosphere, and the

TOBUNKENNational Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo13-43 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-8713 JAPAN http://www.tobunken.go.jp

N E W S DIGESTno.4

Exchange Program (Preliminary Investigation) in MongoliaBy Futagami Yoko, Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation

Amarbayasgalant Khiid

é

16 to May 9. The purpose of this project is thepreservation of a Buddhist monastery made ofmud bricks and/or pis . The Center has beenremoving sand and weeds that have accumulat-ed since past excavations in 60 -70s and con-

ducting archaeological cleaning andsoundings since 2006 in order toclarify the position and structure ofthe walls of the monastery.In this mission, we carefully stud-

ied the southeast wall facing thecourtyard where a stupa is located,and confirmed the entrance thatleads to the room whereParinirvana Buddha had been onceplaced. In addition, as a result ofsoundings at two points on the edgeof the site, we were able to detectthe outer wall of the Buddhistmonastery and to confirm its origi-nal size. Such results provide infor-mation valuable for the conserva-tion of Ajina Tepa. All archaeologi-cal investigations made at the site


2

required. We confirmed that there was not onlydamage to the color of the building and its roofbut also that the structure of the temple wassuffering deterioration. Through the discussionat this meeting, the two countries have come tohold the wish to include building-related con-tents in the training program for experts thatwill be conducted from the next fiscal year on. After our visit, we learned that demonstrations

expressing dissatisfaction with the result of theelection which had been held at the end of Juneled to a riot in Ulan Bator and that the mobshad set fire to the Center for Cultural Heritage,the counterpart of our Institute, resulting indamage to the building, equipment and culturalproperties. We express our heartfelt sympathy tothe staff of the Center. At the same time, we areseeking a possibility of emergency response bysharing information with the embassy andexperts in related fields.

Preservation of the Buddhist Monastery of Ajina Tepa, TajikistanBy Arimura Makoto, Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation

The Japan Center for InternationalCooperation in Conservation dispatchedthe 3rd mission of the UNESCO/Japan

Trust Fund project, Preservation of the BuddhistMonastery of Ajina Tepa, Tajikistan from April

Inspection of the Amarbayasgalant Khiid

The southeast wall facing the courtyard with a stupa

that was found by investigation

Participants in the workshop


3

were done with young Tajik archaeologists,whose cooperation was of great help. At thesame time, we believe that it was meaningful

Cooperation for the Establishment of the Conservation Center for GrandEgyptian Museum (GEM-CC) in Cairo: Workshop on the Conservation ofPaper Materials

By Taniguchi Yoko, Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation

In cooperation with the Japan InternationalCooperation Agency (JICA), the JapanCenter for International Cooperation in

Conservation has been providing technicaladvice to the Conservation Center for GrandEgyptian Museum. Between 24 and 28 February,the Center organized a conservation workshopon paper in Cairo for Egyptian conservators. Asenior paper conservator, Sakamoto Masami,delivered a series of lectures on various manu-facturing techniques of paper, both Europeanand Japanese, their physical and chemical prop-erties and characteristics. Following theoreticallectures on conservation and materials, somepractical/technical sessions were delivered forlong-scale preservation and mount-making aswell as further conservation implementations.In Egypt, museums hold artifacts made of a

wide range of extremely challenging materials,such as papyri and textiles. Since most of theparticipants at the workshop are experienced in

the field of conservation as professional conser-vators, they made quite positive remarks con-cerning the workshop as a whole. It has becomea very important key workshop in order to beginfurther cooperation with the Grand EgyptianMuseum.

from the point of view of capacity building oflocal experts.

Cooperative work with young Tajik experts


4

Completion of the Recording of Midori no Hayashi GokanrokuBy Iijima Mitsuru, Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Joint investigation in Cave 285

record two long, serial kodan pieces: jidaimono(story of historical figures) and sewamono (storyof the common people). The recording of Midorino Hayashi Gokanroku, a sewamono, was com-pleted on February 13, 2008. This was thetwenty-first recording session for IchiryusaiTeisui, and it took 7 years to complete the proj-

The National Research Institute forCultural Properties, Tokyo has beenengaged in the recording of actual kodan

performances since 2002 with the cooperationof Ichiryusai Teisui and Takarai Bakin.We have asked Ichiryusai Teisui, a Holder of

Important Intangible Cultural Property, to

The fifth phase of the Joint Research on theConservation of the Mural Paintings ofthe Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes is in its

third year. Members of the National ResearchInstitute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo were

Investigation of the Mural Paintings of the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes andthe Dispatch of Trainees

By Okada Ken, Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation

sent to Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes for fourweeks from June 1 and for 6 weeks fromSeptember 6 to conduct this year's Japan-Chinajoint research. Continuing from last year, opti-cal investigation that has been conducted untilnow in Cave 285, which has an inscription(A.D. 538 and 539) of the West Wei period, wascontinued and the conditions of the entiremural painting were examined. The condition ofdeterioration and preservation of the materialsused for mural paintings differ depending onvarious conditions such as color, technique andthe location of the paintings. If we understandthese conditions, the results of the optical inves-tigation will reveal much more information,resulting in new ideas about investigation andanalysis. In addition, if specific materials andtechniques result in different states of deteriora-tion, that will provide much insight into futureconservation and restoration work. Furthermore, two graduate students with a

master's degree went to the Mogao Grottoesfrom Japan with this investigation team. Theywere selected from different fields of discipline -conservation science and paintings - as traineesdispatched to Dunhuang by public announce-ment that has been implemented from 2007.They stayed in Dunhuang for five months untilmid-October and received guidance from spe-cialists at the Conservation Institute ofDunhuang Academy concerning diverse mattersrelated to the protection of mural paintings.


5

ect since the first session was held on June 11,2002.Midori no hayashi refers to thieves. Midori no

Hayashi Gokanroku is a grand story of the livesof five chivalrous thieves like Robin Hood toldone after another; their deeds leading to theirexecution are recounted.As for jidaimono, Tenmei Shichidan was com-

pleted on December 26, 2005. Now SengokuSodo is being recorded.Recording of a new, long sewamono is sched-

uled to begin next fiscal year.Kodan by Ichiryusai Teisui

Investigation of the Ways in which Information on Cultural Properties isCollected and Publicized in EnglandBy Emura Tomoko, Department of Research Programming

For six days from March 3, 2008 threemembers of the Department - YamanashiEmiko, Emura Tomoko and Nakamura

Setsuko - visited libraries and research organiza-tions in England to investigate the ways inwhich materials are collected and publicized.Visits were made, within this short period, toSainsbury Institute for the Study of JapaneseArts and Cultures, Witt and Conway Librariesof the Courtauld Institute of Art at theUniversity of London, The British Museum,The British Library, National Art Library of theVictoria & Albert Museum, and School ofOriental and African Studies of the University ofLondon. In addition to investigating their facili-ties, we exchanged opinions with researchers ateach organization. Of these organizations, WittLibrary, in particular, is one that is of specialsignificance to the Institute since the firstDirector General of the Institute, YashiroYukio, is said to have felt the need for a libraryon materials related to art and obtained the ideafor the founding of the Institute when he visitedthe Library, an extremely profitable experiencein his own study of art history. According to theguest book at the Library, it was learned thatYashiro visited the Library nine times between1924 and 1928. Such information was meaning-ful in understanding the situation surroundingthe founding of the Institute and the signifi-cance of collecting and publicizing informationon cultural properties. We hope to continue Witt Library guest book, entry for January 18, 1924

At the office of Ms. Barbara Thompson,

Witt and Conway librarian

exchange in research and to make use of suchopportunities in the utilization of materials andthe management of libraries.


6

Tsuda and Sarai of the Department ofResearch Programming studied twoBuddhist statues (Brahma and Indra),

which were made in Japan during the Nara peri-od, and collected relevant materials at TheAsian Art Museum of San Francisco fromMarch 10 to 12, 2008 as part of theDepartment's project on the study of art materi-als and techniques. These statues had originallybeen at Kohfukuji in Nara, but were bought byan American collector after they passed into pri-vate hands.The two statues were made by a special tech-

nique that was used in the Nara period, hollowdry lacquer technique. The outer frame is com-posed of hemp cloth and urushi (lacquer) andthe inside is left hollow except for an insertedwood that functions as support. Since a greatamount of lacquer, which is very expensive, wasneeded and since such statues are not struc-turally strong, there are not many examples ofhollow dry lacquer statues remaining today. Inthat sense, it may be said that these statues areextremely valuable.A photograph taken at Kohfukuji some time

around 1905 shows, among many damagedBuddhist statues, these two statues, also greatlydamaged. Among the documents at The AsianArt Museum related to these statues are X-ray

Conservation of the Mural Paintings of Kitora Tumulus, a Special HistoricSite

By Morii Masayuki, Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques

The National Research Institute ofCultural Properties, Tokyo is engagedin research project for the conservation

of the Kitora Tumulus, a Special Historic Site.This is a project that has been entrusted to theInstitute from the Agency for Cultural Affairs.In this project, the interior of the stone chamberis inspected regularly and its mural paintings onthe plaster are being detached.

Particularly, the painting of the astronomicalchart on the ceiling has been detached sequen-tially ever since a part of the astronomical charthad fallen and was found on the floor in July2007. Initially, only small areas of the painting where

the risk of exfoliation was very high weredetached. However, with improvement in thetools used to detach paintings, it is now possible

images that provide some information concern-ing the restoration of the statues. For example,while the head of Indra is missing in theKohfukuji photograph taken in the Meiji period,X-ray image of the statue unexpectedly showsthe possibility that the head is that of the origi-nal. Knowledge obtained in this investigationneeds to be further studied from many angles.We hope to continue the study of the techniqueand style of hollow dry lacquer statues with thecooperation of The Asian Art Museum.

Investigation of Buddhist Statues at The Asian Art Museum of SanFrancisco

By Sarai Mai, Department of Research Programming

X-ray image of the head of Indra (The Asian Art Museum

of San Francisco)


7

Lecture by Dr. Chen Fang-mei of the Graduate Institute of Art History,National Taiwan University

By Shioya Jun, Department of Research Programming

As part of the research project "Researchon Materials for the Study of East AsianArt", the Department of Research

Programming has been studying the relationshipbetween man and objects under the theme of"Dynamics of Interaction between Objects andPeople". The aim of the study is to see how theconnection among people plays a role in thevalue formation of objects such as works of artand cultural properties. On Tuesday, January15, we invited Dr. Chen Fang-mei of theGraduate Institute of Art History of theNational Taiwan University, who contributed to

to detach a square piece of the mural paintingabout 10 cm on a side. As a result, the northernhalf of the astronomical chart has been detachedas of the end of June 2008. The paintings will

Wall paintings of Kitora Tumulus (painting of the astronomical chart on the ceiling) after having detached the northern half

continue to be detached on a regular basis. Asfor the painting of the astronomical chart on theceiling, our goal is to detach the entire paintingwithin this year.

Dr. Chen Fang-mei


8

our Department's periodical, Bijutsu Kenkyu(The Journal of Art Studies) volume 391, apaper on how ancient bronzes were appreciatedin Sung dynasty China.

In her presentation entitled "The Issue of theSacred Space Constructed at: Yinshan Templeat Danshuei and Ethnological Awareness: AStudy of Art in the Social Context", Dr. Chenspoke about how the thoughts of the Han peoplewho immigrated to Taiwan from the end of the18th to the beginning of the 19th centuries,especially that of the Hakka people fromTingzhou in western Fujian province, were

View of Yinshan Temple at Danshuei (before 1991)

given form. Although a minority group, thesepeople erected Yinshan Temple at Danshuei innorthern Taiwan. Dr. Chen confirmed that thearrangement and decorations of the templecomplex are reminiscent of what existed in theirplace of origin, Tingzhou. The subject of thepresentation was concerned with the history ofpre-modern Taiwan, with which we are not sofamiliar, but the assertion of identity associatedwith migrating people was in line with thetheme of our study and discussions on the ques-tion of self-expression of minority groups fol-lowed the presentation.

Presentation by a Visiting ResearcherBy Tanaka Atsushi, Department of Research Programming

Wu Chinghsin(Taipei, PhD student atUCLA), a visiting researcher at theDepartment of Research Programming

for a year from September 2007, presented theresults of her study at the Department's researchseminar on March 26. She has been studyinghow the world of modern Japanese art, especial-ly of the 1920s, accepted European art. In herpresentation entitled "Classic or Avant-garde,Christianity or Buddhism - Religious Paintings

of Koga Harue Dating to the 1920s", Wu dis-cussed how paintings by Koga with religiousthemes or motifs correlate with European art,from those of El Greco and other classics to themodern age, that was introduced to Japan in the1920s. The presentation was followed by activeexchange of opinion with researchers of theDepartment whose fields of discipline includemodern art as well as Buddhist art. We hopethat Wu will continue to pursue her research.


9

This fiscal year is the final year of theproject for the conservation of stone stat-ues of the tombs of Tang dynasty that

has been conducted jointly with the Xi'anCentre for the Conservation and Restoration ofCultural Heritage in China since 2004. For twodays, on June 23 and 24, a meeting of Japaneseand Chinese experts was held in Xi'an Citywhere last fiscal year's were reviewed and evalu-ated. From Japan, Mr. Nishiura Tadateru (pro-fessor of Kokushikan University, conservation ofcultural properties) and Mr. Nedachi Kensuke(professor of Kyoto University, history of art)attended as experts. During the last fiscal year,of the three target mausoleums of this project,archeological investigations and maintenancework were conducted particularly for the east,west and north gates of the QiaolingMausoleum which is the tomb of EmperorRuizong of Tang. This time, Japanese andChinese experts investigated the site in the pres- Japan-China experts meeting

ence of many local onlookers. In addition, thegreat Sichuan Earthquake that struck Shaanxiprovince on May 12 notably enlarged the crackon the lion statue placed at the south gate of theShunling Mausoleum, another target mau-soleum. For this reason, meteorological observa-tion instruments were installed shortly after,and they were inspected on this occasion.

A banner of "Ardent Welcome" displayed at the site of Qiaoling Mausoleum

Meeting of Experts on the Conservation Project for the Stone Statues of theTombs of Tang Dynasty in Shaanxi

By Okada Ken, Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation


10

1st Seminar on Traditional Restoration Materials and Synthetic Resins:Deterioration of Metals Used on Urushi Objects

By Kitano Nobuhiko, Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Techniques

The Technical Standard Section of theCenter for Conservation Science andRestoration Techniques held a seminar

entitled Deterioration of Metals Used onUrushi Objects in the Seminar Room of theInstitute on February 27 (Wednesday). In addi-tion to lectures by Kitano of the TechnicalStandard Section and Ms. Sano Chie of theConservation Science Section, three personswere invited and asked to speak: Mr. TakahashiTakahiro, professor at the Kansai Universityand the director of the Kansai UniversityMuseum; Mr. Kitamura Shosai, an urushi artistand a Holder of Important Intangible CulturalProperty (Living National Treasure); and Mr.Naruse Masakazu of the Office of the ShosoinTreasure House, Imperial Household Agency.Recently, deterioration of metals like makiepowder and fukurin (metal coverings) on urushiobjects is becoming a subject of discussion.Perhaps for that reason, there were many partic-ipants at this seminar in spite of the fact that itwas held toward the end of the fiscal year, a verybusy time for everyone.At the seminar, Kitano first spoke on excavated

makie objects of the modern period (17th - mid-19th centuries) on which there is severe deterio-

ration. Then Mr. Takahashi explained the his-tory of urushi objects using metals in Japan,China and the Korean Peninsula from the pointof view of the history of urushi craft. He alsospoke on some points related to environmentalconditions in museums. This was followed by avaluable presentation, from the point of view ofa conservator, by Mr. Kitamura on the restora-tion and reproduction of urushi objects desig-nated as national treasures and important cul-tural properties that he himself had beenengaged in. He introduced details that onlysomeone who has actually worked on theseobjects could know. Next, Mr. Naruse spokeabout the results of analysis of metals used onurushi objects from the ancient to the medievalperiods, focusing on urushi objects in the collec-tion of Shosoin, as well as on the conditions oftheir deterioration. Finally, from the point ofview of conservation science, Ms. Sano spoke onthe relation between deterioration of metals andthe conservation environment in museums andthe use of wooden storage boxes. Since the pre-sentations by the three invited speakers werebased on actual work, they were very convincingand there were many questions from the partici-pants.

21st Conference on the Conservation of Modern Cultural Properties -"Conservation and Utilization of Aircrafts"

By Nakayama Shunsuke, Center for Conservation and Restoration Techniques

The Modern Cultural Properties Section ofthe Center for Conservation Science andRestoration Techniques held a confer-

ence on January 25 in the Seminar Hall of theInstitute. Three lecturers were invited for theoccasion: Dave Morris of the Fleet Air ArmMuseum in England, Nagashima Hiroyuki ofthe Japan Aeronautic Association and HirayamaSukenari of the Hirayama Ikuo Museum of Art.Dave Morris presented us with a detailed expla-

nation of the restoration of a Corsair aircraft

that he undertook. His presentation introducedus to matters, including minute details that onlysomeone who has actually worked on therestoration of the aircraft could provide.Nagashima spoke about the conservation of air-crafts, taking as an example the conservation ofa Nakajima Type 91 Fighter exhibited at theTokorozawa Aviation Museum. Hirayama usedphotographs and video image taken duringrestoration to speak about treatments providedin the restoration of Aichi Type Zero


11

Reconnaissance Seaplane that was salvagedfrom the ocean at what is now Minamisatsumacity, Kagoshima prefecture, a restoration thatwas undertaken when he was working as amember of the restoration group at the KanoyaAir Base of Japan Maritime Self Defense Force.

As all three of the lecturers spoke from theirown experience, their presentations were veryconvincing. There were many questions fromthe audience and the conference ended well pastits schedule.

Seminar of the Center for Conservation Science and RestorationTechniques, "Solving the Mystery of the Triangular-rimmed Bronze Mirrorswith Mythical Figure and Animal Designs - Materials, Techniques, Places ofManufacture"

By Sano Chie, Center for Conservation and Restoration Techniques

Presentation at the seminar

were produced, can be derived from a study ofinformation related to their manufacture, suchas their materials and shape. As lecturers, weinvited Professor Fukunaga Shin'ya, whobrought epoch-making progress in the study ofthe triangular-rimmed bronze mirrors withmythical figure and animal designs by introduc-ing the method of categorizing such mirrorsaccording to the shape of knob holes and thelines on the outer circumference, and Dr.Mabuchi Hisao, who reached a new interpreta-tion regarding the material of the mirrors by

measuring the lead isotoperatio of many bronze wares.Mr. Namba Yozo and Mr.Saito Tsutomu joined thepanel discussion and therewas a lively exchange ofviews. Dr. Mabuchi suggest-ed a new interpretationregarding the time of manu-facture of the mirrors. It wastruly a meaningful seminarthat enabled us to under-stand the profoundness ofhistorical study using naturalscientific methods. (Friday,June 20, 2008 at the seminarroom of the NationalResearch Institute forCultural Properties, Tokyo;60 participants)

In-depth studies on the materials and manu-facturing techniques of cultural propertiesprovide important information that con-

tributes to their conservation and restoration aswell as their historical studies. This time, thetriangular-rimmed bronze mirrors with mythicalfigure and animal designs, which have beenexcavated in large quantities from early tumuli,were selected as the topic of study. There hasbeen an ongoing dispute about whether they areWei mirrors or Japanese mirrors. We examinedhow historical information, such as when they

The Japan Center for InternationalCooperation in Conservation has beenholding international conferences and

workshops in order to promote exchange amongexperts engaged in the protection of cultural her-itage in Asia. From the fiscal year 2007, anexpert meeting will be held every year at variouslocations in Asia in order to construct furthernetwork among experts. For the first year, focuswas placed on Central Asia and the meeting was


12

31st International Symposium on the Conservation and Restoration ofCultural Property

By Inuzuka Masahide, Center for Conservation and Restoration Techniques

The 31st International Symposium on theConservation and Restoration ofCultural Property was held in the

Seminar Room of the National ResearchInstitute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo fromFebruary 5 to 7, 2008. The Center forConservation Science and RestorationTechniques was in charge of this year's sympo-sium on the "Study of EnvironmentalConditions Surrounding Cultural Properties andTheir Protective Measures". Lectures were givenby 7 experts from abroad and 8 experts fromJapan.

Presentations by Japanese experts focused main-ly on environmental and biological control atTakamatsuzuka Tumulus, whose dismantle-ment was conducted the fiscal year of 2007.Experts from abroad spoke on the wall paintingsof Lascaux Cave where they are faced with simi-lar problems, and we were able to have a mean-ingful exchange of opinions. There were alsoexchange of information and opinions on con-servation measures at other decorated tumuli,international activities in the conservation ofcultural properties and non-destructive methodsof examination.

Expert Meeting on Cultural Heritage in Asia and the Pacific, "CulturalHeritage of Central Asia and the Japanese Contribution"

By Kageyama Etsuko, Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation

held in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. Inaddition to Uzbekistan, experts were invitedfrom Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz, Tajikistan andTurkmenistan as well as from UNESCO topresent reports on the present condition andissues related to activities for the protection ofcultural heritage in their respective countriesand to hold discussions. The meeting was fol-lowed by visits to archaeological sites, historic

A scene from the meeting

Visit to the restoration studio for mural paintings at the

Institute of Archaeology, Uzbekistan


13

about the different issues that Japan and othercountries are faced with and to hear case studiesof activities for the protection of cultural her-itage. They also expressed their desire to contin-ue collaboration and to exchange information.

buildings, museums and an archaeological insti-tute in Samarkand, and opinions wereexchanged on methods for the conservation andexhibition of cultural heritage. The participantscommented that it was very meaningful to learn

"International Cooperation in Living Heritage", a Workshop of the JapanConsortium for International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage

By Toyoshima Hisano, Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation

International Cooperation in Living Heritage,a workshop organized by the JapanConsortium for International Cooperation in

Cultural Heritage (President: Hirayama Ikuo),the secretariat of which has been entrusted tothe Japan Center for International Cooperationin Conservation, was held on January 9..In thisworkshop various topics related with interna-tional cooperation in conservation are discussed.The workshop in January, which is the secondin a series of such workshops, focused on theliving heritage, in other words on “heritage thatis kept alive and utilized”. Over 100 expertsfrom various disciplines participated. In thekeynote lecture, Dr. Richard Engelhardt,Regional Advisor for Culture in Asia and thePacific at UNESCO Bangkok, spoke on thebackground that led to the concept of living her-itage, the importance of international coopera-

tion in conservation that includes the local peo-ple, and the role that Japan is expected to playin conservation. Case studies were also intro-duced, including academic research and practi-cal restoration projects undertaken in Vietnamby Showa Women's University and the study onliving heritage in Southeast Asia by Dr. MiuraKeiko of Waseda University. In the panel discus-sion, topics such as what kind of problems arefaced at sites, what needs to be conserved in thecontext of changing systems of value and howJapan can cooperate in the conservation of livingheritage were discussed actively among the pan-elists and the audience. The Japan Consortiumfor International Cooperation in CulturalHeritage plans to hold workshops regularly inthe future and to provide support in construct-ing a network of experts related with interna-tional cooperation in conservation.

Poster session at the workshop


14

Conclusion of an Agreement on Cultural Exchange with the KoreanNational University of Cultural Heritage

By Goto Yoshinobu, Department of Management

On May 13, 2008, an agreement on cul-tural exchange was concluded betweenthe National Research Institute for

Cultural Properties, Tokyo and the KoreanNational University of Cultural Heritage. Theagreement pertains to the promotion of compre-hensive exchange, and its aim is for theInstitute and the University to contributetoward promoting protection of cultural heritage

by through cultural exchanges in the fields ofacademic research and education.The signing ceremony was held at the Institute

with the attendance of 4 representatives of theKorean National University of CulturalHeritage, including President Rhie Jong Chul. Inthe presence of many staff members of theInstitute, President Rhie and Director GeneralSuzuki Norio signed the cultural exchangeagreement.The Korean National University of Cultural

Heritage was established under the Blue Housefor the purpose of protecting and transmittingtraditional cultures, and consists of 6 depart-ments including Cultural PropertiesManagement, Traditional LandscapeArchitecture, Traditional Architecture,Traditional Art and Crafts, Archaeology, andConservation Science. Comprehensive exchangein a wide range of fields can be expected in thefuture.

Ceremonial photo with the party of the Korean National

University of Cultural Heritage

Conclusion of the Statement of Mutual Agreement with the Division ofFolklore and Folklife of the National Research Institute of CulturalHeritage, Korea

By Miyata Shigeyuki, Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Conclusion of the statement of mutualagreement on exchange between Japanand Korea on research concerning the

conservation of intangible cultural heritage withthe Folkloric Studies Division of the NationalResearch Institute of Cultural Heritage, Korea.This statement of mutual agreement is based

on the agreement for research exchange betweenthe Independent Administrative Institution,National Research Institute for CulturalProperties of Japan and the National ResearchInstitute of Cultural Heritage of the Republic ofKorea that was concluded in 2005 and pre-scribes, in concrete terms, arrangements forresearch exchange in the field of intangible cul-

tural heritage between the Department ofIntangible Cultural Heritage of our Institute andthe Folkloric Studies Division of our counterpartin Korea.The agreement was concluded with signatures

at the National Research Institute of CulturalHeritage, Korea on June 3, 2008. From now on,the two parties will exchange researchers, pro-vide training and other programs and hold dis-cussions to realize future collaborative research-es in accordance with this agreement. It wasalso decided that the results of these undertak-ings would be published in the form of collectedpapers of the joint research in March 2011.


15

Signing of an Agreement for Cooperation in the Conservation of CulturalHeritage in the Republic of Tajikistan

By Yamauchi Kazuya, Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation

On March 20, 2008, an agreement and amemorandum for cooperation in theconservation of cultural heritage were

signed between the Institute of History,Archaeology and Ethnography, Academy ofScience, Tajikistan and the National ResearchInstitute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo. According to the agreement, which is a general

agreement, the Institute of History, Archaeologyand Ethnography and our Institute will cooper-ate in conducting activities for the conservationof cultural heritage in Tajikistan, and capacitybuilding and transfer of technology will be con-

ducted by means of actual work of conservationand workshops. The memorandum concerns theconservation project for the mural paintings inthe collection of the National Museum ofAntiquities, Tajikistan affiliated to the Instituteof History, Archaeology and Ethnography, andcooperation with regard to capacity building andtransfer of technology related to that project.The Japan Center for International Cooperationin Conservation will begin the actual work out-lined in the agreement and the memorandumfrom the fiscal year 2008.

Result of Self-Evaluation for the Fiscal Year 2007By Nakano Teruo, Deputy Director General

The Evaluation Committee considering theself-evaluation of the National ResearchInstitutes for Cultural Properties in

Tokyo and Nara was held on May 19, 2008. Onthis occasion, we presented to the Committeereports on all the projects that were executedduring the fiscal year 2007 as member institutesin the Independent Administrative Institution,the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage.The status of all the projects was explained interms of their implementation and/or results,and the Committee members were asked fortheir opinions. At a later date, we compiled ourself-evaluation, taking into account the evalua-tions and opinions of the Committee members.The following is the outline of the completedself-evaluation regarding the projects executedby the National Research Institute for CulturalProperties, Tokyo.The projects drawn up by the National

Research Institute for Cultural Properties,Tokyo during the fiscal year 2007 with the aimof fulfilling its mid-term plan encompassed awide range of activities, including surveys andresearch, international cooperation, publicizingand transmitting of information about theresults of the surveys and research, and render-

ing of cooperation and advice to such bodies asthe national government and local public bodies.The activity most highly evaluated by theCommittee was our cooperation with the proj-ects related to the conservation of the wallpaintings of Takamatsuzuka and KitoraTumuli. Both Institutes, Tokyo and Nara, werepraised for achieving results in this difficult taskbeyond those planned for, in the midst of thegreat interest and scrutiny from the wholenation. Regarding the projects for internationalcooperation, it was noted that a maturing coop-erative relationship was being developed withChina and South Korea, and that further assis-tance had been rendered to such countries asCambodia and Afghanistan under difficult con-ditions. In addition, our contribution to humanresources development through the improve-ment of the knowledge and skills of people asso-ciated with various cultural properties, anendeavor achieved by hosting training and pro-viding positive advice, was highly evaluated.However, it cannot be said that our efforts havebeen adequately conveyed to the general publicand an improvement in our ability to publicizeinformation is expected. As a result of the self-evaluation, we concluded that all the projects for


16

Publications

Investigative Report on the Handscroll "Autobiography" by Huai-su

A report on the investigation of Autobiography by Huai-su in the collection of the National Palace Museum

using optical methods. Huai-su of T'ang dynasty is famous for the graceful style of calligraphy. This report

contributes a new perspective to the discussion of the scroll. Color illustrations of high-resolution digital

images and images by optical methods, such as infrared, and a report by Prof. Ho, a researcher of the National

Palace Museum, are included. 2005, The National Palace Museum, Taipei, Price: NT$ 800

Catalogue of Exhibits from Art Exhibitions of the Showa Era (Pre-World War II volume)

This publication records exhibit lists from major art exhibitions held by 32 organizations from Showa 1

(1926) through the end of World War II in Showa 20 (1945). The lists include information on 70,000 art

works and 10,000 artists. 2006, Chuo Koron Bijutsu Shuppan (＋81-(0)3-3561-5993), Price: ￥26,250

Research and Reports on Intangib le Cultural Heritage

Research and Reports on Intangible Cultural Heritage has been published since 2006 by the Department of

Intangible Cultural Heritage. It contains academic papers, research reports and translations of classic docu-

ments into modern Japanese. The articles can be downloaded as PDF files from the website of the

Department(http://www.tobunken.go.jp/~geino/index_e.html).

Science for Conservation

Science for Conservation has been published since 1964. It contains articles on studies of conservation and

restoration of cultural properties conducted by the Institute. The articles can be downloaded as PDF files from

the website of the Center for Conservation Science and Restoration Technique(http://www.tobunken.go.jp./%

7Ehozon/hozon_pdf.html).

Utilization of Railway Heritage

In the past, six books have been published on various issues related to the conservation of modern cultural

heritage. From now on, focus will be placed on their utilization. The first volume of this series will delve into

matters related with the utilization of railway heritage. 2008, not for sale

Preliminary Reporton the Safeguarding of the Bamiyan Site 2006 -6th and 7th Missions -Recent Cultural

Heritage Issues in Afganistan Preliminary Report Series 2

This report is a summary of the achievements by the 6th and 7th missions for “The Preservation of the

Bamiyan Site” as part of the projects by the Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation,

“Cooperative Projects for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage in West Asia”. 2007, not for sale

the fiscal year 2007 had proceeded well and thatsufficient results had been achieved. The resultsof this self-evaluation will be reflected in future

project planning and the improvement of theadministration of the Institute.

Documents

TOBUNKENNEWS DIGEST no.4 TOBUNKEN NEWSwill be conducted from the next fiscal year on. After our visit, we learned that demonstrations expressing dissatisfaction with the result of