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内容記述 |
Izumizaki Cave Tumulus, which was made on the tuff cliff in Izumizaki village, Fukushima prefecture, Japan in late Kofun Age (early 7th century) is an ornamental tumulus. On the ceiling and the walls of the coffin-room (depth: 2.2m, width: 2m, height: 1.2m), pictures of men, animals, horses and eddy patterns are painted in single red color. The tumulus was found and excavated in 1933 as the first found ornamental tumulus in Tohoku (northern part of the main island) area of Japan. It was designated as national historic site by Japanese Government in 1934. In order to protect the tumulus, a concrete guard shelter was set in 1935. However, then, its maintenance had not been good enough. In 1969, the painting was damaged by illegal intruders. After that, the entrance door was repaired and the key had been managed severely, though repair of the shelter and conservation measures for the paintings had not been done for long time, because of lack of budget (Fig. 1-6). As of 2005, the condition of the tumulus was almost as good as when it was first found in 1933 except the damage by vandalism in 1969. However, the guard shelter was damaging and the tumulus was aged anyway. Therefore, total conservation measure for the tumulus was considered and the actual works were carried out from 2005 to 2007 as a state subsidy project. In conservation project, mainly measures for improvement of environmental conditions were done, and the minimal necessary cleaning and consolidation treatment to the inside of the coffin-room was carried out (Fig. 7-18). The restoration of the paintings in a computer was tried by using the latest image processing technology. The photographs of the paintings before the vandalism are only in monochrome. So, present color data of the painting was put on the image data of the old monochrome photograph. Thanks to the latest high image processing technology, an original image of the painting was made precisely in a computer. Thus, a severe discussion was done, if the painting should be practically restored or not, by using this restored image by computer (Fig. 19, 20). Since keeping of the present condition is the principle for the conservation of cultural heritage, it is not considerable to restore the wall paintings of tumulus by repainting the missing part. However, the painting of Izumizaki Cave Tumulus is a special case for the following facts: 1) It is clear that the damage was done by hμman 40 years ago. 2) There are precise photographs of the painting taken before it was damaged, though they are in monochrome. 3) Reproduction of the painting was made precisely in computer by using the latest image processing technology. Some member of the committee for the conservation project stated that repainting was not reproduction but real restoration with positive evidence, in this case. And, he proposed a practical restoration method as follows: 1) Repainting should not be so precise but quite rough, so that the painting looks natural from normal distance but repainted part is easily distinguished by close watching. 2) Paint used for repainting should be so reversible that it can be easily eliminated in the future when necessary. As a result of careful consideration and earnest discussion in the committee, it was decided that the restoration would not be carried out at that time but would be kept in consideration, for the following reasons: 1) Image processing technology is in high progress. 2) It is not necessarily done in a hurry for now. 3) Since it is concerned with the criteria in conservation of national cultural heritage, wider and deeper consideration and discussion are needed. |
KU-0040-20110308-06.pdf
