Exploring Japanese Beauty: Repairing the Fugen Bosatsu
Let’s see how a repair work is done to pass down Japan’s beauty to future generations!
Front liningOriginal Source: 大解剖！普賢菩薩像の修理
Repairing the Fugen Bosatsu
Let’s see how a repair work is done to pass down Japan’s beauty to future generations!
Fugen Bosatsu Heian period,12th century Tokyo National MuseumOriginal Source: ColBase（https://colbase.nich.go.jp/）
Fugen Bosatsu
The Fugen Bosatsu, a Buddhist painting from the Heian period, was one of the first cultural assets to have been designated as a national treasure under the Cultural Properties Protection Law enacted in 1950. The painting was put under repair in 2019 to mend its damaged silk support and peeling paint.
Examining the workOriginal Source: 大解剖！普賢菩薩像の修理
Examining the work
The repair process begins by thoroughly examining the condition of the artwork using magnifying glasses.
Preventing exfoliationOriginal Source: 大解剖！普賢菩薩像の修理
Preventing exfoliation
Glue is applied to the colored areas to prevent the paint from flaking further.
Disassembling & safeguarding the workOriginal Source: 大解剖！普賢菩薩像の修理
Disassembling & safeguarding the work
The hanging scroll is first disassembled and then safeguarded with curing paper and other material to protect the paint.
Preparing paperOriginal Source: 大解剖！普賢菩薩像の修理
Preparing paper
New washi paper is prepared to reinforce the main paper of the artwork. The paper is colored with natural dye to match the coloring of the artwork.
How to proceed with the repairOriginal Source: 大解剖！普賢菩薩像の修理
How to proceed with the repair
Experts hold a meeting at every phase to deliberate on how to proceed with the repair and what to do next.
Preparing the silkOriginal Source: 大解剖！普賢菩薩像の修理
Preparing repair silk
Silk used for repair and infill is beaten or deteriorated intentionally to simulate the material strength of the centuries-old original.
Front liningOriginal Source: 大解剖！普賢菩薩像の修理
Front lining
Paper and other material are applied on the surface of the painting for protection before removing the mending materials on the back side left over from earlier repair works.
Removing the first back lining paperOriginal Source: 大解剖！普賢菩薩像の修理
Removing the first back lining paper
The first back lining paper is moistened and then removed. Experts use their magnifying glasses and tweezers to carefully remove the fine fiber.
Tsumugu Project / Tokyo
Cooperation：
Tokyo National Museum
Handa Kyuseido
Photograph：
Handa Kyuseido
ColBase
The Yomiuri Shimbun
Production：
The Yomiuri Shimbun
©The Yomiuri Shimbun 2021
