AFFILIATION
National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties
ACADEMIC FIELD & RESEARCH
Specialized and research introduction: Intangible Cultural Heritage Studies, Cultural Properties Preservation Techniques (e.g., musical instrument production techniques), Japanese Traditional Performing Arts
RESEARCH FIELD
Japan, Asia
COMMENTS
Japanese traditional performing arts are supported by many people with their skills in making various tools (musical instruments, costumes, wigs, props). The manufacture of tools is possible only with raw materials. Perhaps the success of entertainment begins with a clear awareness of the environment surrounding it.
MAJOR WORKS (related to the COVID-19 pandemic since 2021)
[Books]
- “New Coronavirus Pandemic, Traditional Performing Arts and Preservation Techniques,” (Lost in Pandemic: Theatre Adrift, Expression’s New Horizons , pp. 252–256, supervised by the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum, Waseda University, edited by Ryuki Goto, June 2021.) [In Japanese]
[Articles]
- Investigation Report on Techniques for Preserving Cultural Properties with Focus on Musical Instruments 4 (Research and Reports on Intangible Cultural Heritage, No. 15, pp. 77–86, Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties , 2021.3) [In Japanese]
- Influence of COVID-19 on Traditional Performing Arts: Investigation and Issues (Research and Reports on Intangible Cultural Heritage, No. 15, pp. 5–10, Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, March 2021)[In Japanese]
[Oral Presentations]
- “Initiatives of Research Institutions in the COVID-19 Pandemic” (Ryuichi Kodama, Hiroko Miura, and Megumi Maehara) at the 29th Gakugeki Gakkai Conference tournament, July 10, 2021, remote competition by zoom) [In Japanese]
- “A Diversity-Focused Approach to Musical Instruments” (oral presentation at the Exploring and Safeguarding Shared ICH in East Asia Conference 2021, September 10, 2021, remote meeting by zoom)
RELATED WEBSITE
Photographs and captions related to my research
Kinomoto-cho, Nagahama-shi, Shiga-ken, July 6, 2020, © Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties.
The technique for producing raw silk thread, the material for Japanese musical instrument strings, is a nationally-selected conservation technique. Recorded footage of this technique was edited, and its short version is available on the website of the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties via YouTube as “Records (short version) of the production of traditional Japanese musical instrument thread, a nationally selected conservation technique” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H2m_WQWFYM).
Hachioji City, Tokyo, July 13, 2020, © Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties.
The leading domestic company was in a management crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper carries out the investigation record of the present state and the shamisen production technology of Tokyo Wagakki. The outline of the technology is published as “Technique Supporting Japanese Performing Arts VI Shamisen Tokyo Wagakki” (12 pages, January 26, 2021, Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties) with photographs (not for sale).
Taito-ku, Tokyo (Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties), September 24, 2021, © Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties.
“Demonstration Records” that document and archive visual and audio-based entertainment and repertoires in genres with fewer opportunities for performances. Droplet-proof masks were used to prevent COVID-19 for the video recording.
[Series] Intangible Cultural Heritage and Novel Coronavirus Forum 1 “Traditional Performing Arts and the New Coronavirus”
Recorded on September 25, 2020, Taito-ku, Tokyo (Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties), © Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties.
Half a year since the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic began to appear, a forum was held, gathering people (performers, planners and producers, and producers of tools supporting the performing arts) involved in traditional performing arts from different genres and from various perspectives.
The recorded footage of the day is now available for an extended period on the website of the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (https://www.tobunken.go.jp/ich/vscovid19/forum-1), a report has been published (not for sale), and the PDF is available on the website of the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (https://www.tobunken.go.jp/ich/wp-content/uploads/2021project_covid19.pdf).