Outline
Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, is an organization
committed to comprehensive research on ancient cultural heritage. The ancient
city of Nara is known for its wealth of ancient architecture and historical
works of art, and the Institute was established to conduct research on
these materials. Inspired in the mid-1950s, by the problem of preserving
the Nara palace site, to get involved in research on buried cultural properties
as well, the Institute has achieved significant results in the excavation
and study of the Nara and Fujiwara palace site. These have contributed
to international academic exchanges aimed at shedding light on the development
of ancient capitals.
In addition, sophisticated techniques of restoration, developed at the
Institute for preserving valuable buried cultural materials, have been
applied in the preservation of sites and artifacts throughout the world.
At the Nara palace site, reconstruction of the Former Imperial Audience
Hall is underway, following that of Suzakumon gate. The techniques of reconstruction
used in these projects are being applied in the presentation of historic
sites throughout the country. In addition, the Institute also serves as
a center for the training of, and for conducting joint research with, both
local government employees involved in archaeological excavations, and
foreign researchers.
Cultural Heritage Division
History of the Institute
| Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, was founded
in 1952 as an auxiliary organization of the National Commission for Protection
of Cultural Properties, the predecessor of the current Agency for Cultural
Affairs, with a view to conducting research on cultural properties. At
the time of its inception, the Institute had three research divisions,
specializing in history, architecture, and art, as well as a General Affairs
Division. The growing necessity to protect the Heijo palace site led to
the inception of the Division of Heijo Palace Site Investigations in 1963.
In 1973, the Division of the Asuka/Fujiwara Palace Site Investigations
was established, and in 1975, the Asuka Historical Museum was opened, prompted
by a Cabinet resolution made in 1970 as part of the government's efforts
to preserve the cultural properties of the Asuka area. In order to help
meet the demand for resucue excavations conducted by local governments,
the Center for Archaeological Operations was established in 1974 to train
local excavators and provide advice to local authorities. As part of Japanese Government's reform initiatives, national research institutes belonging to government ministries and agencies are undergoing reorganization. Consequently, the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo and the Nara National Cultural Properties Research Institute were integrated and reorganized as branches of the Independent Administrative Institution in April 2001. The head office for this independent institution is located at the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Nara. |
 Former building of the Institute |
Chronology of the Institute
- April 1952
- The Institute established as an auxiliary organization of the National Commission for Protection of Cultural Properties, with a General Affairs Division, Historical Research Division, Architecture Research Division, and Art Research Division, at 50 Kasugano-cho, Nar
- July 1954
- The Institute was officially named the Nara National Cultural Properties Research Institut
- October 1960
- The office of the Heijo Palace Site Investigations opened in the former Nara palace site in Sakihigashi-machi, Nara
- April 1963
- The Division of Heijo Palace Site Investigations was established
- June 1968
- The Agency for Cultural Affairs was established, with the Institute under its control
- April 1970
- The Nara Palace Site Museum opened
- April 1973
- The Division of Asuka/Fujiwara Palace Site Investigations and the Asuka Historical Museum were established. The Institute's Accouting Section was also established
- April 1974
- The Department of General Affairs and the Center for Archaeological Operations were established
- March 1975
- The Asuka Historical Museum opened at Okuyama, in the village of Asuka, Nara prefecture
- April 1980
- The Art Research Division transferred to Research Center for Buddhist Art, of the Nara National Museum
- April 1980
- The Insitute relocated to Nijo-cho, Nara. The Division of Heijo Palace Site Investigations and the Center for Archaeological Operations were integrated into the Institute
- August 1988
- A new headquarters building was built for the Division of Asuka/Fujiwara Palace Site Investigations at 94-1, Kinomoto-cho, Kashihara City, Nara prefecture
- April 2001
- The National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Nara, was granted the status of independent administrative institutio
- April 2007
- It became National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties.
Organization
| Director General | |
| Deputy Director General | |
| Department of Research Support and Promotion | Administration Division |
| Collaboration Promotion Division | |
| Research Support Division | |
| Department of Planning and Coordination | Planning and Coordination Section |
| Data and information Section | |
| International Cooperation Section | |
| Exhibition Section | |
| Photography Section | |
| Department of Cultural Heritage | Historical Document Section |
| Architectural History Section | |
| Cultural Landscape Section | |
| Site Stablization Section | |
| Department of Imperial Palace Sites Investigations | Archaeology Section 1 |
| Archaeology Section 2 | |
| Archaeology Section 3 | |
| History Section | |
| Architectural Feature Section | |
| Center for Archaeological Operations | Conservation Science Section |
| Environmental Archaeology Section | |
| Dating Section | |
| Archaeological Research Methodology Section | |
| Asuka Historical Museum | Cultural Section |