Our laboratory conducts research on the conservation and utilization of cultural properties and heritage through the effective application of natural sciences. Our goal is to analyze the structures and materials of these objects, uncover deterioration mechanisms, and develop strategies for preservation and preventive conservation.
What is Conservation Science?
In 1952, Professor Katsu Sekino, who first used the term "conservation science," defined it as:
“The study of cultural property structures and materials, analyzing the changes and aging phenomena caused by internal and external conditions, and applying this knowledge for the preservation and restoration of cultural properties.”
Initially, conservation science was developed as a discipline dedicated to the preservation and restoration of cultural artifacts, particularly in response to the increasing need for conservation treatments for excavated archaeological objects in Japan.
However, societal changes have expanded the concept of heritage, necessitating new approaches to conservation science. With increasing efforts to promote the utilization of cultural properties, conservation science must evolve beyond its traditional boundaries to address these emerging challenges. This requires not only fundamental research but also innovative problem-solving capabilities.
Current Challenges in Cultural Property Conservation
Chronic Shortage of Experts
The number of cultural properties, including World Heritage sites, continues to rise globally. In Japan alone, as of April 2024, there are 33,410 nationally designated, selected, and registered cultural properties, and 112,633 designated or selected at the prefectural and municipal levels. However, only about 60% of the necessary cultural property specialists are currently in place to manage and protect them.
Severe Deterioration and Damage
Many cultural properties managed by local governments exceed 100 in number per municipality. In addition to an overwhelming amount of excavated artifacts, large-scale heritage sites such as stone monuments, temples, shrines, cultural landscapes, and preservation districts for historic buildings require extensive monitoring. Many of these properties are exposed to natural environments for long periods, while rapid tourism growth, overdevelopment, and excessive utilization are accelerating their deterioration at an unprecedented rate.
Difficulty in Condition Assessment
Given the increasing number of cultural properties and the shortage of qualified personnel, even experienced managers face difficulties in accurately and continuously assessing the real-time condition of all cultural properties under their care.
Expansion of Cultural Property Utilization
The “Cultural Property Utilization and Understanding Promotion Strategy Program 2020” by the Agency for Cultural Affairs actively supports the use of cultural properties as unique venues for cultural events. As cultural properties are subjected to new and challenging environments, there is an urgent need to monitor changes in preservation conditions and address the acceleration of deterioration due to utilization.
Growing Role of Local Communities
The revision of the Cultural Properties Protection Law is under consideration, with a focus on:
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Enhancing efforts to include previously unrecognized and undesignated cultural properties.
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Establishing a system where cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, is preserved in a holistic manner, considering its surrounding environment.
With this shift, cultural property conservation is becoming increasingly integrated with local communities.
The Role of Conservation Science
The best approach to conservation is not one where specialists remain involved indefinitely, but rather where local people naturally incorporate cultural heritage conservation into their daily lives with a sense of respect and shared responsibility.
To achieve this, conservation science must:
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Recognize how cultural properties and heritage have been nurtured and passed down through generations.
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Use scientific tools to assess their condition and identify conservation challenges with solid evidence.
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Develop solutions that integrate conservation into the social and cultural framework of each community.
In this process, individuals, local residents, and governmental organizations must take the lead in cultural property conservation. Conservation scientists, in turn, play a supporting role, ensuring that preservation efforts are sustainable, effective, and community-driven.