Research Activities | 2013

Visit to PolandMarch, 2014

From Sunday, March 23, to Sunday, March 30, 2014, CHC members visited Warsaw, Torun, and Krakow in Poland. The members included Hiroshi Suita (Egyptology, Egyptian Society Group), Ahmed Shoeib (Cultural Heritage Restoration Group), Ewa Roznerska (Cultural Heritage Restoration Group), Masaaki Sawada (Cultural Heritage Restoration Group), Tadateru Nishiura (Cultural Heritage Restoration Group), Masaaki Naka (Cultural Heritage Restoration Group), Atsushi Ito (Science and Technology Group), Hiroaki Tsuruta (Science and Technology Group), Yoshihiro Yasumuro (Science and Technology Group), and Yoshinobu Nakamura (Science and Technology Group).

In Warsaw, they toured around the Old Town and visited the Embassy of Japan, Poland. They had an opportunity to take a look at restored medieval wall paintings in Ląd Church and Mehoffer Church in Torun and another church in Turek. They also visited the historic center of Krakaw.

On Wednesday, March 26, a dinner party was held with Dr. Tretyn, Chancellor of Nicolaus Copernicus University, and other members of the university, with whom the CHC researchers exchanged ideas and fostered a friendship.

Seminar on the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural HeritageMarch, 2014

The CHC hosted the "Seminar on the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage 2013" from Wednesday, March 5, to Tuesday, March 11, 2014, in collaboration with the Japan Conservation Project, a non-profit organization. Researchers, engineers, and other lead experts in the field were invited as instructors to give lectures to university students pursuing their interests in the related fields of cultural heritage studies and the general public who want to learn about the preservation of cultural heritage.

Lecturers from the CHC included Hiroshi Suita (Egyptology, Egyptian Society Group), Masaaki Sawada (Cultural Heritage Restoration Group), Tadateru Nishiura (Cultural Heritage Restoration Group), and Kosuke Takatori (Science and Technology Group).

On the last day of the seminar, Tuesday, March 11, participants visited the National Museum of Ethnology. Through the seven-day seminar, participants learned about different aspects of cultural heritage from the basics of cultural heritage to examples of heritage preservation work. Participants who completed all the coursework were awarded a completion certificate.

The seminar was fruitful thanks to many enthusiastic participants interested in the subject.

 
Seminar Schedule

Wednesday, March 5

(1)(2) Special Lecture "The History of Humanity and Cultural Heritage" by Tadateru Nishiura (Kokushikan University)

(3)(4) Topics in Cultural Heritage "Ancient Sites and Monuments" by Dr. Kunikazu Ueno (Nara Women's University)

Thursday, March 6

(1) Special Lecture "Society and Cultural Heritage" by Mr. Yukihiro Amano (formerly with Asahi Shimbun)

(2) Special Lecture "A Consideration regarding World Heritage: International Cooperation from Nara" by Dr. Yasushi Nishimura (Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO)

(3) Topics in Cultural Heritage "Arts and Crafts I: Paintings" by Dr. Naoko Sonoda (National Museum of Ethnology)

(4) Special Lecture "International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage Preservation I" by Masaaki Sawada (CHC)

Friday, March 7

(1) Cultural Heritage Materials Studies "Wood" by Tadateru Nishiura (Kokushikan University)

(2) Cultural Heritage Materials Studies "Stone and Bricks" by Tadateru Nishiura (Kokushikan University)

(3) Cultural Heritage and the Environment "Natural Environment and Cultural Heritage" by Dr. Yoichi Nishiyama (Nara University)

(4) Cultural Heritage and the Environment "Biodeterioration of Cultural Property and Countermeasures I: Mold" by Kosuke Takatori (Center for Fungal Consultation, Japan)

Saturday, March 8

(1) Basic Concepts of Cultural Heritage "Cultural Heritage and Natural Science" by Masaaki Sawada (CHC)

(2) Basic Concepts of Cultural Heritage "The Preservation and Utilization of Cultural Heritage" by Masaaki Sawada (CHC)

(3) Cultural Heritage Materials Studies "Metal" by Dr. Fumiyoshi Kirino (Tokyo University of Arts)

(4) Topics in Cultural Heritage "Arts and Crafts II: Crafts" by Mr. Shigeru Kitamura (lacquer craftsman)

Sunday, March 9

(1)(2) Basic Concepts of Cultural Heritage "The History and Administration of Cultural Heritage Preservation" by Dr. Satoshi Inoue (St. Andrew's University)

(3) Cultural Heritage and the Environment "Environment for Storing and Displaying Cultural Property" by Dr. Junichi Uoshiima (Nara University)

(4) Special Lecture "The Role of Museums" by Dr. Junichi Uoshima (Nara University)

Monday, March 10

(1) Special Lecture "Disasters and Relief Efforts" by Dr. Shingo Hidaka (National Museum of Ethnology)

(2) Cultural Heritage Materials Studies "Paper and Fabric" by Mr. Iwataro Oka (Oka Bokkodo Co., Ltd.)

(3) Topics in Cultural Heritage "Historical Records" by Prof. Kentaro Ohbayashi (Kyoto University of Art & Design)

(4) Special Lecture "International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage Preservation II" by Hiroshi Suita (Kansai University)

Tuesday, March 11

(1) Topics in Cultural Heritage "Archaeological Artifacts" by Mr. Fumitake Masuzawa (Gangoji Institute for Research of Cultural Property)

(2) Topics in Cultural Heritage "Folklore Records" by Prof. Hitomi Date (Kyoto University Department of Art & Design)

(3)(4) Visit to the National Museum of Ethnology

Seminar on Egyptology and MonumentsFebruary, 2014

The CHC invited ten researchers from the Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University, to hold a "Seminar on Egyptology and Monuments" from Monday, February 24, to Wednesday, February 26, 2014. The seminar was the first attempt in Japan to approach the research fields of Egyptology and monument preservation in Egypt in a technical and multifaceted fashion.

On the first day of the seminar, Monday, February 24, Dr. Said Gohary, Dr. Nasser Mekawy, and Dr. Salwa Kamel, gave reports entitled, "Language and Education in Ancient Egypt," "Diplomacy between Egypt and the Ancient Near East through the Amarna Letters," and "The Temple of Abydos," respectively. These talks were followed by an "Emergency Briefing on Islamic Cultural Heritage" given by Dr. Tetsuya Ohtoshi of the University of Tokyo and by the officials of the Embassy of Egypt.

The second day, Tuesday, February 25, consisted of a presentation named, "The Semantic Relations between the Hieroglyphic Signs and the Meaning of Words in Ancient Egyptian Language (Determinatives and Phonetic Signs)" given by Dr. Heba Nouh; "The Methodology for Studying Ancient History Applied to Ancient Egyptian History" by Dr. Zakia Zaki; "Study on the Deterioration Aspects of Mural Painting in the Egyptian Oasis" and "New Trends in the Analysis and Conservation of Ancient Egyptian Mural Painting" by Dr. Mona Fouad, and the "Physio-Chemical Deterioration of Historical Buildings of Limestone" and "Methodology of Consolidation of Historical Building of Limestone and Sandstone" by Dr. Mohamed Abd el-Hady.

On the final day of the event, Wednesday, February 26, Dr. Wafika Noshy gave presentations on the "Treatment and Conservation of Papyrus" and "Theories of Manufacture of Papyrus"; Dr. Salwa Gad el-Karim on the "Technology of Glass Making Processes in Ancient Egypt (Pharaonic Era)" and "Technology of Glass Making Processes during Roman Period," and Dr. Moustafa Attia on "Detecting a Forgery of Aivazovsky's Oil Painting" and the "Forest Landscape of Deschamps: A Study of Materials and Techniques for Conservation."

Special Lecture: "Kansai University's Research Efforts in Egypt over the Last Decade"January, 2014

A special lecture, Kansai University's Research Efforts in Egypt over the Last Decade, was given by CHC's Director, Hiroshi Suita (Egyptology, Egyptian Society Group) at Kansai University's Tokyo Center on Saturday, January 25, 2014.

This special lecture was organized to coincide with MEXT's exhibit for a Joint Press Release on Projects with Universities/Research Organizations, underway in the Science and Technology Exhibition Room at the Museum of MEXT.

In the lecture, Hiroshi Suita presented Kansai University's preservation and restoration projects at Saqqara over the last ten years since 2003. International and diverse research activities have been made possible not only by researchers from Kansai University and other institutes in Japan, but through collaboration with experts in various disciplines, including Egypt's Antiquity Inspectorate agents, researchers from the Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University, and Saqqara villagers.

The CHC will continue its efforts to establish a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to cultural heritage preservation and utilization.

Beginner to Middle Egyptian Language Course HeldDecember, 2013 - January, 2014

The CHC offered an intensive language course, Beginner to Middle Egyptian, between Saturday, December 7, 2013, and Saturday, January 11, 2014. Over four classes, Hiroshi Suita (Egyptology, Egyptian Society Group), Director of CHC, gave comprehensive lectures to teach participants the basics of Middle Egyptian.

This course, designed for first-time learners of Middle Egyptian, was joined by people across generations who were interested in ancient Egypt. The participants received a certificate of completion from CHC after the four lectures.

Joint Press Release between Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and Universities/Research OrganizationsDecember, 2013 - March, 2014

As part of the Joint Press Release on Projects between Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and Universities/Research Organizations, a joint exhibit will be held from Sunday, December 1st, 2013 to around the end of March 2014 (tentative), showcasing CHC's research activities. The exhibit will highlight our major efforts to preserve and restore the cultural heritage of ancient Egypt.

Special Lecture by Egypt's Antiquities MinisterNovember, 2013

On Tuesday, November 26, 2013, CHC hosted a special lecture entitled Crisis of Egyptian Monuments and the Future delivered by Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim, the antiquities minister of Egypt. This lecture was held as part of the 2013 workshop series, Crisis of Egyptian Monuments and the Future.

Dr. Ibrahim provided the latest news on what is happening with cultural heritage in Egypt and what measures the Egyptian authorities are taking to preserve the heritage.

Workshops on Egyptian AntiquitiesNovember, 2013

On Tuesday, November 19, and Wednesday, November 20, 2013, CHC hosted a debriefing session, Practice of Conservation and Restoration for Egyptian Antiquities: Mainly in Saqqara, by inviting antiquity inspectorate agents from Saqqara as the guest lecturers. The debriefing session was held as part of the 2013 workshop series, Crisis of Egyptian Monuments and the Future.

On the first day of the session, Mr. Hany Ahmad, inspector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, reported on the current condition of Egyptian cultural heritage after the revolution, and Mr. Sabry Farag, director of Saqqara Inspectorate, described the status quo of preserving cultural heritage in Saqqara. The talks inspired a number of questions from the audience and an active discussion.

On the second day, Mr. Mustafa Abdel-Fatah, chief of the restoration team at Saqqara Inspectorate, Mr. Nasser el-Fergani, restorer at Saqqara Inspectorate, and Mr. Ashraf Youssef, restorer at Saqqara Inspectorate, respectively gave a report on what doing good work in Saqqara requires, the current state of cultural heritage in Saqqara, and examples of restoration work in Saqqara. A lively discussion continued past the end of the appointed time, which assured the hosts that the session gave the attendees an invaluable opportunity to gain insights into the subject matter.

The Center for the Global Study of Cultural Heritage and Culture (CHC) welcomed a group of villagers from Saqqara, Egypt, as part of the 2013 workshop series, Crisis of Egyptian Monuments and the Future. The Saqqara villagers, who were hoping to investigate tourist destinations and how they are being utilized, visited Kyoto and Nara with the antiquity inspectorate agents to observe local people's efforts to revitalize their community, which provided an excellent example of revitalization movements in Japan. Seeing public and private sectors working together especially in Asuka Village to preserve their cultural heritage and landscapes and the effective utilization of cultural heritage contributing to the economic development of the area, inspired a lively discussion among the villagers.

Joint Press Release between Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and Universities/Research OrganizationsSeptember, 2013

As part of the Joint Press Release on Projects between MEXT and Universities/Research Organizations, a joint exhibit will be held from December 1st (Sun), 2013, to March 14th (Fri), 2014 (tentative), showcasing CHC's research activities. The exhibit will highlight our major efforts to preserve and restore the cultural heritage of ancient Egypt.

Dates: December 1st (Sun), 2013 -
March 14th (Fri), 2014 (tentative)
Venue: Science and Technology Exhibition Room, the Museum of MEXT

A New Technique Invented to Reinforce Stone WallsSeptember, 2013

A CHC member, Prof. Tatsuaki Nishigata’s efforts to maintain and restore stone walls were introduced in the June 12, 2013 edition of the Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun newspaper.

Through joint research with Hazama Ando Corp., Prof. Nishigata(Science and Technology Group) invented a technique using reinforcing steel to stabilize castle walls while preserving the appearance of the castle. This new technique, which achieves both safety and unobstructed landscapes, will be utilized in future reinforcement work on stone walls, such as those of castles that remain in urban areas.

Machu Picchu Preservation Project August, 2013

A project to preserve and restore the Temple of the Sun at Machu Picchu was featured in the morning edition of Asahi Shimbun newspaper on August 21, 2013 (western Tokyo).

The Japanese team, led by Prof. Tadateru Nishiura (Cultural Heritage Restoration Group), a CHC member, completed the second year of a joint survey with the Peruvian government and returned to Japan on Tuesday, August 20, 2013. The survey included a 3D coordinate measurement of the Temple of the Sun and temperature and humidity testing inside the temple. Prof. Atsushi Ito (Science and Technology Group) and Prof. Tatsuaki Nishigata (Science and Technology Group) also joined the project.

The team is expected to initiate another survey in 2014 at the request of the Peruvian government to preserve and restore Intiwatana, marking the final year of the Machu Picchu preservation project. Intiwatana, which some believe to have been a solar clock, is coScience and Technology Groupnsidered another important remain along with the Temple of the Sun at Machu Picchu.

Scientific Research on Cultural Property A July, 2013

Masaaki Sawada (Cultural Heritage Restoration Group), a CHC researcher, gave an intensive lecture series entitled, Scientific Research on Cultural Property A, at Kansai University Graduate School from Monday, July 29, 2013 to Wednesday, July 31, 2013.

This lecture series provided students with basic scientific knowledge of cultural heritage preservation and restoration, and by using case studies, the lectures promoted a greater understanding of how this knowledge is applied to the actual preservation and restoration techniques.

On Wednesday, July 31, the students visited the studio of Mr. Kenichiro Yano, a restorer of statues of the Buddha. Mr. Yano explained techniques used in making Buddha figures and in restoring the statues. At the Central Golden Hall in the Kofukuji Temple, Nara, which is currently under construction, the students got an opportunity to witness restoration work in action and to hear Mr. Yano and other restorers speak about their philosophies and policies on restoration work. The students also visited the Kohfukuji National Treasure Museum, which houses numerous national treasures and important cultural properties.

Egyptian Scholars' Visit to Kansai UniversityJune - July, 2013

On June 14, 2013, Dr. Salah El-Kholy and Dr. Ola El-Aguizy from the Department of Archeology, Cairo University, arrived at Kansai University as exchange researchers. The visit was thanks to the academic agreement between Kansai University and Cairo University.

During their one-and-a-half month stay, the two researchers engaged in joint research activities with Kansai University's researchers and graduate students. They also participated in lectures, seminars, and events in which they interacted with students at Kansai University.