Technicians in the Conservation Laboratory work to preserve and reproduce many kinds of historical materials. They are highly skilled in traditional procedures and are also employing the latest multimedia techniques. Their work is divided into four categories:
Written documents are traced with brush, ink, and traditional paper. Skilled calligraphers are able to judge types of ink, light exposure, and even the brush angle used in creating the original document. Copies must be identical with the originals in every respect, including evidence of wear and tear.
Staff WADA, Yukio
Pictorial materials are copied with traditional painting techniques. Reproduction requires experienced painters to be able not only to capture the obvious brushstroke but to recreate the spirit and feeling evoked by the picture or map.
Staff MURAOKA, Yukari
Over the centuries, written materials suffered from damage due to moisture, insects, temperature, etc. Careful disassembly and repair can often restore such damaged and indecipherable documents. Painstaking care is used in separated pages compacted by insect residues, and new paper is glued to the back of each page when possible.
Staff NAKATO, Yasuyuki TAKASHIMA, Akihiko YMAGUCHI,Satoshi
Traditional means of preservation and reproduction, cameras, and computers provide new means of studying historical materials. Photographs on giant negatives are developed on site for maximum enlargement. Microfilms are rolled and duplicated for preservation, of which research is under way for new techniques. New technologies such as infrared analysis and digital image management are also tested and applied here.
Staff NAKAMURA, Takaaki TANI, Akiyoshi
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