Category: Japan

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The Conservation of Byobu

conservation of byobu

Berlin, July 2017 – Last week I was in Berlin again. After almost three years, I came back to attend the workshop on the Conservation of Byobu Japanese Screens at the Museum für Asiatische Kunst in Dahlem.

One more time I had the chance to meet my teachers from Japan and colleagues from all over the world. During the week I learn about complex objects such as byobu and traditional techniques to built and restore them. Once again I had a wonderful and useful experience for both my professional and personal growth.

Conservators and restorers, who already have an advanced knowledge of Japanese restoration and conservation techniques, can apply for this five-day workshop on the conservation of byobu. Applicants are required to have previously attended either “Basics for Japanese Paper and Silk Conservation” or similar workshops run by Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, such as JPC.
They will learn the basic techniques of Japanese paper restoration, the structure of Japanese screens like byobu (folding screen), the analysis of damages on screens through the practical work conducted by Japanese specialists.

conservation of byobu
conservation of byobu

In the pictures: moments from the workshops; life in Berlin.

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Workshops on Japanese Paper Conservation


Berlin, December 2014 – This December I could attend two workshops on Japanese Paper Conservation Tradition organized by the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo, with the support of the Museum für Asiatische Kunst, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin and Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin.

The workshops on Japanese Paper Conservation are:

  • a basic-level workshop whose aim is to introduce Japanese art objects on paper and silk through lectures, demonstrations, as well as practical exercises conducted by Japanese specialists. It will be focused on the mounting formats, the materials and techniques, general principles of conservation and restoration, and the practical exercises includes the handling of scrolls and screens;
  • an advanced-level workshop designed for conservators, restorers and restoration specialists who already have an advanced knowledge of Japanese restoration and conservation techniques. It is aimed to introduce the analysis of damages on Japanese hanging scrolls, the emergency measures such as reinforcement with paper strips (orefuse in Japanese), removing and re-attaching of roller rods, and restoration techniques such as lining with Japanese paper through the practical exercises.
japanese paper conservation
japanese paper conservation
japanese paper conservation

In the pictures: moments of the workshops.