Research collaboration
Basis for joint use and collaborative research
The Historiographical Institute of the University of Tokyo was authorized as a “research center of converting Japanese historical materials into research resources” by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in June 2009. This reseach base is established for the purpose of conducting joint studies and research in collaboration with scholars in Japan and overseas on historical source materials related to Japan which exist in Japan and overseas, on the basis of research resources which have been collected by the Historiographical Institute, thereby facilitating comprehensive and systematic accumulation and joint use of research resources and improving the quality of historical materials studies and Japanese historical studies.
There are two types of joint research projects at this research base; one is specific joint research projects, for which the research agenda is determined specifying each of the five areas: ancient materials, medieval materials, early modern materials, overseas materials or composite materials, and researchers are publicly sought; and the other is general joint research projects, for which the research agenda is publicly sought. Both types of joint research projects are adopted and determined through deliberations at the council, which includes external members.
Specified joint research projects conducted in FY 2018 are as follows:
- Ancient materials: Historiographical reconsideration of basic books and records about the Heian period
- Medieval materials: Study on the documents of the Kamo-wakeikazuchi Shrine
- Early modern materials: Research on the Meiji-Ishin documents held by the Historiographical Institute
- Overseas materials: Comprehensive research on historical materials collected by Fr. Mario Marega held by Vatican Library
- Composite materials: Comprehensive research on images of battle scenes of the Sengoku Period
General joint research projects were publicly sought and 20 themes were selected for FY 2018, with the participation of 94 members from outside of the institute.
Announcement of results of joint use and collaborative research
Regarding the results of our activities as a “research center of converting Japanese historical materials into research resources,” as well as posting reports on our website, each project holds symposiums, open lecture meetings, and other events for academic circles and local communities. On January 24, 2015, we held a symposium titled “New Transmission of Historical Material Information” to report on the activities in the current term (from FY 2010) of joint use and collaborative research and of the International Center for the Digitization of Premodern Japanese Sources, which serves as the foundation of joint use and collaborative research, and to confirm the future direction.