This page introduces the public databases provided by the museums affiliated with the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage.
INDEX
Collections and Images
- ColBase: Integrated Collections Databese of the National Museums, Japan
- https://colbase.nich.go.jp/?lang=eng
- ColBase is a service that enables a multi-database search of the collections in the four national museums and one research institute in Japan, all of which belong to the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage.
- e-Museum: National Treasures ＆ Important Cultural Properties of National Museums, Japan
- https://emuseum.nich.go.jp/top?langId=en
- The e-Museum site provides high definition images of National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties owned by four national museums and one research institute that belong to the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, together with their descriptions in multiple languages.
- Image Search
- https://webarchives.tnm.jp/imgsearch/(Japanese language only)
- A searchable image database of the TNM collection.
- KNM Collection Database
- https://syuweb.kyohaku.go.jp/ibmuseum_public/
- A searchable database of the Kyoto National Museum’s collection. Users can view over 10,000 images as well as supplementary information on more than 5,000 items.
- Google Arts & Culture Kyoto National Museumoogle Arts & Culture
- https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/partner/kyoto-national-museum?hl=en
- Image Search
- https://webarchives.tnm.jp/imgsearch/(Japanese language only)
- A searchable image database of the TNM collection.
- Collection Database
- https://www.narahaku.go.jp/collection/(Japanese language only)
- A searchable database of the Nara National Museum’s collection. View basic information, reproductions of inscriptions, forewords, and other text, commentaries and bibliographic information, as well as a large number of images. Also linked to an online public access catalog (OPAC) and an image database. The database’s images are 4,000 pixels in size and may be utilized freely within the scope of personal use.
- Image Database
- https://imagedb.narahaku.go.jp/(Japanese language only)
- A searchable database of information and images created by the Nara National Museum. Images of items in the museum’s collection are viewable online. The images are grouped by category and the database is frequently updated to add new images. Requests to use the database’s images can be submitted through the website.
- Collection Gallery (Collection Information Search)
- https://collection.kyuhaku.jp/gallery/(Japanese language only)
- A searchable database of cultural properties in the Kyushu National Museum’s collection. The site contains images, basic information, and commentary for over 1,500 items.
- Collection Image Search
- https://collection.kyuhaku.jp/application/(Japanese language only)
- A searchable image database of the Kyushu National Museum’s collection. The site contains more than 7,000 images. Requests to use the database’s images can be submitted through the website.
- Collection Video Gallery
- https://www.kyuhaku.jp/exhibition/exhibition_mgallery.html(Japanese language only)
- A series of short educational videos about famous pieces in the Kyushu National Museum’s collection.
- Database of Kuroda Seiki Works Owned by the Kuroda Memorial Hall
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/materials/kuroda_works(Japanese language only)
- A database of works by Kuroda Seiki (1866-1924) that are held by the Kuroda Memorial Hall. A total of 480 items are registered in the database.
Library books and References on Cultural Properties
- Publication Search
- http://webopac.tnm.jp/top/index.do?method=change&langMode=ENG
- A searchable database of publications which are housed at the museum’s Research and Information Center.
- OPAC
- https://www.narahaku.go.jp/opac_kensaku/
- An online catalog of the Nara National Museum Buddhist Art Library. In addition to bibliographic information on the library’s books and periodicals, this valuable resource also contains information on papers published in key periodicals and exhibition catalogs.
- Nara National Museum Repository
- https://narahaku.repo.nii.ac.jp/(Japanese language only)
- An online repository of every issue of the Rokuon zasshu and Nara Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan dayori research bulletins published by the Nara National Museum from the first issue to the most recent, as well as the full text of some 600 reports and booklets.
- Library Books
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/archives/library-collection/library-books/?lang=en
- A database of books owned by the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties. Some 110 thousand items are registered in the database.
- Auction Catalogues
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/archives/library-collection/auction-catalogues/?lang=en
- A database of auction catalogs owned by the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties. A total of 2,524 items are registered in the database.
- Exhibition Catalogues
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/archives/library-collection/exhibition-catalogues/?lang=en
- A database of exhibition catalogs owned by the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties. Some 45,000 items are registered in the database.
- Periodicals
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/archives/library-collection/periodicals/?lang=en
- A database of periodicals owned by the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties. Some 160,000 items are registered in the database.
- Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties - Publications
- https://tobunken.repo.nii.ac.jp/?lang=english
- The Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties’ JAIRO Cloud page is a shared repository service operated by the National Institute of Informatics. The database contains some 3,300 registered items.
- References on Cultural Properties
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/archives/references-on-cultural-properties/?lang=en
- A database of articles published in the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties’ publications (Journal of Art Studies, Geino no Kagaku, Research and Reports on Intangible Cultural Heritage, and Science for Conservation)as well as art literature published in the Year Book of Japanese Art, articles published in Bijutsu zenshu, articles published in three performing arts publications, and information relating to Japanese art from outside the country. Some 620,000 items are registered in the database.
- Publications on Japanese Art (Published Outside of Japan)
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/archives/information-search/publications-on-japanese-art-published-outside-of-japan/?lang=en
- A database of exhibition catalogs and books published outside Japan with a focus on Europe and the US. Some 500 items are registered in the database.
- Art World Annals (Bulletin) Database
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/materials/gahou(Japanese language only)
- A database of articles from bulletins and annals published in the Year Book of Japanese Art. Some 5,000 entries are registered in the database.
- Hakubakai Newspaper Article Database
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/materials/hakuba(Japanese language only)
- A database of newspaper articles concerning the Hakubakai artist association, which formed in 1896 and disbanded in 1911. A total of 659 items are registered in the database.
- Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties Book Search
- http://opac.nabunken.go.jp/top/index.do?method=change&langMode=ENG
- A database of books owned by the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties.
- Comprehensive Database of Archeological Site Reports in Japan
- https://sitereports.nabunken.go.jp/en
- A database of archeological excavation reports of buried cultural properties. The full text of these reports can be searched and viewed online.
- Database of Supplementary Information for Archeology Papers
- http://mokuren.nabunken.go.jp/ronbunhokandb/ronbun.html(Japanese language only)
- A database of information on papers concerning archeology.
- Archeological Site Discussion Database
- http://mokuren.nabunken.go.jp/ronko/ronko.html(Japanese language only)
- A database of discussions recorded in archeological excavation reports.
- Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties Repository
- https://repository.nabunken.go.jp/dspace/index.jsp?locale=en
- An online repository of research results from the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties.
Historical Photos
- Database of Historical Photos
- http://webarchives.tnm.jp/dbs/oldphotos
- A database of photographs taken from the late Edo period to the Taisho era in the possession of the Tokyo National Museum.
- Glass Photographic Plates of the Murals in the Kondō Hall of Hōryūji Temple―Digital Viewer―
- https://horyuji-kondohekiga.jp/
- We invite you to take in these high resolution digitized images of the glass photographic plates produced in 1935 recording the Hōryūji Kondō murals.
- Photographic Negatives and Plates
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/archives/image-collection/photographic-negatives-and-plates/?lang=en
- A database of photographic negatives and plates (4×5 monochrome plates) owned by the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties. A total of 10,715 items are registered in the database.
- Photographic Plate Database (4×5 Color Plates)
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/materials/pictweb(Japanese language only)
- A database of photographic plates (4×5 color plates) owned by the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties. A total of 8,503 items are registered in the database.
- Photographic Glass Plate Database
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/materials/glass(Japanese language only)
- A database of photographic glass plates taken from 1930 to around 1955 held by the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties. Some 22,000 items are registered in the database.
Historical Writings, Documents and Archives
- Digital Library
- https://webarchives.tnm.jp/dlib/
- A searchable database of full-page images of antiquarian Japanese, Western, and Chinese texts.
- Itaya Family Historical Materials Database
- http://webarchives.tnm.jp/dbs/itaya
- A searchable database of the paintings and historical materials handed down from the Itaya family to the Tokyo National Museum collection (collection no. A-12372).
- Database of Translated CIE Documents Relevant to Museums
- http://webarchives.tnm.jp/docs/cie/(Japanese language only)
- A searchable database related to the project “Research on the Roles of National Museums in Educational Policy During the US Occupation.”
- Digital Archive of the Siebold Book Collection
- http://webarchives.tnm.jp/dbs/siebolt
- German physician and zoologist Philipp Franz von Siebold, a name well-known in the history of modern science in Japan, came to Japan to serve as the physician for the Dutch trading post on Dejima. He was expelled by the samurai government, but returned to Japan in 1858. This is a database of the Western books Siebold brought with him and Japanese books he collected during his time in Japan.
- Reproductions of Treasures from Temples and Shrines
- http://webarchives.tnm.jp/dbs/mohon
- A database of reproductions related to the Kobikicho Kano family in the possession of the Tokyo National Museum.
- International Exchange Historical Materials Database
- http://webarchives.tnm.jp/dlibold/(Japanese language only)
- A database of materials in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum concerning the history of international exchange with East Asian countries, including Japan, the Korean peninsula, and China.
- Historical Documents
- http://webarchives.tnm.jp/dbs/histdoc
- A database of historical documents in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum which have been photographed in their entirety. The texts have been analyzed by professional paleographers and transcribed digitally. Their weights and dimensions are also listed, along with the sender and recipient when possible.
- Nihon Bijutsuin Sculpture Restoration Record Database
- https://bijutsuindb.narahaku.go.jp/(Japanese language only)
- The database contains a record of restorations of cultural properties conducted by the Nihon Bijutsuin from 1899 to 1944 consisting of more than 400 registers and some 7,000 photographic glass plates. Restored cultural properties can be searched by title and other keywords. All of the registers and photographic glass plate images can be viewed in the Buddhist Art Library.
- The World of the Tsushima So Clan’s Documents
- https://collection.kyuhaku.jp/souke/(Japanese language only)
- Search and view a total of 14,741 items that belonged to the Tsushima So clan but are now held by the Kyushu National Museum. In addition to documents, the site also contains information from storage boxes and scrolls.
- Kuroda Seiki Diary Database
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/materials/kuroda_diary(Japanese language only)
- A database of the content of all four volumes of the Kuroda Seiki nikki(“Diary of Kuroda Seiki”) published by Chuo Koron Bijutsu Shuppan. A total of 5,388 items are registered in the database.
- Taketaro Shinkai Photographic Glass Plate Database
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/materials/sinkai(Japanese language only)
- A database of photographic glass plates taken of the works of sculptor Taketaro Shinkai (1868-1927) as well as the Nanga paintings of Fuo Hosaya and his son, Beizan Hosaya, who studied under Taketaro in his home town. A total of 182 items are registered in the database.
- Database of Photographic Materials from Shokichi Hata’s Time Studying in France
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/materials/hatapict(Japanese language only)
- A database of photographs relating to sculptor Shokichi Hata (1882-1966). Twelve items are registered in the database.
- Odaka Sennosuke Research Photography Database
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/materials/odaka(Japanese language only)
- A database of photographs taken in India, Southeast Asia, and other locations by Oda Sennosuke, who was involved in the establishment of the Institute of Art Research and who became a staff member of the institute in 1930. A total of 1,953 items are registered in the database.
- Shin Wada Research Photography Database
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/materials/wada(Japanese language only)
- A database of photographs taken in the Middle East and other locations from 1929-1930 by Shin Wada, a staff member of the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties during its early years. A total of 1,561 items are registered in the database.
- Database of Japanese Aviation History (Kitagawa Collection)
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/kindai/(Japanese language only)
- A database of photographs of aircraft taken by Hideo Kitagawa (1887-1986) from the birth of aviation in Japan to the time when it experienced rapid development. A total of 279 items are registered in the database.
- Bijutsu gaho Image Database
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/materials/gahou(Japanese language only)
- A database of images published in the art periodical Nihon bijutsu gaho, first issued in 1894 (later retitled Bijutsu gaho). A total of 6,202 items are registered in the database.
- Database of Materials Donated by Takeshi Kuno
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/materials/kuno(Japanese language only)
- A database of Buddhist materials collected by Buddhist sculpture history researcher Takeshi Kuno. A total of 7,480 items are registered in the database.
- Database of Materials Once Belonging to Denzaburo Nakamura
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/materials/nakamura(Japanese language only)
- A database of materials collected by modern Japanese sculpture researcher Denzaburo Nakamura. A total of 537 items are registered in the database.
- Kikuji Yamashita Materials Database
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/materials/yamashita(Japanese language only)
- A database of materials collected by painter Kikuji Yamashita (1919-1986) and his wife Masako Kikuji (1926-2014). A total of 1,295 items are registered in the database.
- Information on Art Galleries
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/archives/information-search/information-on-art-galleries/?lang=en
- A database of art gallery materials focusing on items donated by the Contemporary Art Document Center which was overseen by Shigeo Sasaki. A total of 576 items are registered in the database.
- Yakushiji Temple Writings and Documents Database
- https://www.nabunken.go.jp/Open/yakushiji/yakus.html(Japanese language only)
- An online database of titles, formats, and other bibliographic items concerning writings and documents which have been preserved by the Yakushiji Temple.
- Omiya Family Documents Database
- http://mokuren.nabunken.go.jp/NcpOmy/omiyake.html(Japanese language only)
- An online database of titles, formats, and other bibliographic items concerning writings and documents which have been preserved by the Omiya family of Kasugano-cho, Nara City.
Artists and Art Exhibitions
- Obituary Database
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/materials/bukko(Japanese language only)
- A database of obituaries for persons involved with the arts published in the Year Book of Japanese Art. Some 3,000 items are registered in the database.
- Information on Artists and People in the Arts Sector
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/archives/information-search/information-on-artists-and-people-in-the-arts-sector/?lang=en
- A database of artists and persons involved in the arts extracted from various materials owned by the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties. Some 20,000 items are registered in the database.
- Meiji and Taisho Era Shogaka Banzuke Database
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/materials/banduke(Japanese language only)
- A database with 61 entries of images and persons published in Shogaka banzuke during the Meiji and Taisho eras.
- Calligrapher and Painter Database (According to Meiji and Taisho Eras Shogaka Banzuke)
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/materials/banduke_name(Japanese language only)
- A database of 18,000 calligraphers and painters published in the Meiji (1868—1912) and Taisho Era (1912—1926) Shogaka BanzukeDatabase.
- Overseas Exhibitions of Japanese Art from Prehistory to the Pre-Modern Period
- http://webarchives.tnm.jp/dbs/kobijyutsuten(Japanese language only)
- Information on special overseas exhibitions primarily featuring Japanese art from 1936 to 2016.
- Art Exhibitions
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/archives/information-search/art-exhibitons/?lang=en
- A database of information on art exhibitions held in Japan from 1935 onward. Some 190,000 items are registered in the database.
- Art Exhibitions and Film Festivals (Held Outside of Japan)
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/archives/information-search/art-exhibitions-and-film-festivals-held-outside-of-japan/?lang=en
- A database of information on film festivals and art exhibitions conducted in English held outside Japan with a focus on Europe and the US. Some 1,700 items are registered in the database.
Archeological Sites
- Archeological Site Database
- https://www.i-repository.net/il/meta_pub/G0000556remains(Japanese language only)
- A database of archeological sites nationwide.
- Regional Government Office Site Database
- (Japanese language only)
- A database noting the location, nature, primary structures, and types of ancient regional government office sites (7th–11th century), related sites, public archeological sites, the sites of residences once belonging to powerful families, and other sites considered to be connected to ancient regional government offices, as well as written reports and detailed information on building structures.
- Ancient Temple Site Database
- A database noting the location, nature, primary structures, and types of ancient Buddhist temple sites (7th–11th century), as well as written reports and detailed information on building structures.
- Japanese Garden Dictionary
- http://repository.nabunken.go.jp/dspace/handle/11177/8240
- A database created based on the Bilingual [Japanese & English] Dictionary of Japanese Garden Terms.
Wooden Tablets
- Wooden Tablet Database
- https://mokkanko.nabunken.go.jp/en/
- A searchable database of images, transcribed text, and supplementary information about ancient wooden tablets ( mokkan).
- Linked Search for Wooden Tablet Database & Electronic Cursive Script Character Dictionary Database
- https://mokkanko.nabunken.go.jp/renkei/(Japanese language only)
- A linked database search combining a database of the character forms and styles of ancient wooden tablets ( mokkan) held by the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties with a database of the character forms and styles of the ancient documents, records, and writings collected by the Historiographical Institute of the University of Tokyo.
- MOJIZO: Image Matching Search for Wooden Tablets and Cursive Characters
- https://mojizo.nabunken.go.jp/(Only the instructions for use are available in English)
- A database of images of characters which can return results based on image matching. The database analyzes the user-designated images and displays images of similar characters from among the character forms and styles of the ancient wooden tablets ( mokkan) held by the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties and the character forms and styles of the ancient documents, records, and writings collected by the Historiographical Institute of the University of Tokyo. The system can also be used for finding character matches for illegible writing.
- National Wooden Tablet Excavation Site and Report Database
- https://www.i-repository.net/il/meta_pub/G0000556mokkaniseki(Japanese language only)
- A consolidated list of ancient wooden tablet excavation sites nationwide as well as related documents.
- Database of Names Appearing on Wooden Tablets
- https://www.i-repository.net/il/meta_pub/G0000556mokkanname(Japanese language only)
- A searchable database of names appearing on ancient wooden tablets ( mokkan).
- Ancient Place Name Search
- https://chimei.nabunken.go.jp/(Japanese language only)
- A searchable database of ancient place names (provinces, districts, and townships) recorded in the Wamyo ruijushoas well as on ancient wooden tablets excavated from around the country. Users can search using Chinese characters (including irregular characters) or phonetic syllabary readings of place names.
Other
- Historical Maps
- http://webarchives.tnm.jp/dbs/oldmaps
- A database of historical maps from the Edo period (including a portion produced outside Japan) in the possession of the Tokyo National Museum.
- Seal Album Collection
- http://webarchives.tnm.jp/dbs/sealalbum
- An image database of ancient Chinese bronze seals and early modern and modern Chinese and Japanese seals in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum.
- Natural History Bibliotheca
- http://webarchives.tnm.jp/dbs/zufu
- A database of illustrated natural history materials created from the Edo period to the Meiji era in the possession of the Tokyo National Museum.
- Saito Dazaifu
- https://www.kyuhaku.jp/dazaifu/(Japanese language only)
- An archive of the western administrative capital which flourished under the ancient Dazaifu Government Office. View information on famous historical sites in Saito, reports on excavations, and shrine and temple surveys conducted in the Dazaifu area, as well as videos of folk festivals.
- Decorated Tomb Database
- https://s-kofun.kyuhaku.jp/(Japanese language only)
- A database of over 200 decorated tombs focusing on the Kyushu region, but including examples from other regions, both in Japan and abroad.
- Database of Materials with Known Dates
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/materials/nenki(Japanese language only)
- A database of antique works of art with known dates. Some 11,000 items are registered in the database.
- Information on Traditional Musical Instruments
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/archives/information-search/information-on-traditional-musical-instruments/?lang=en
- A database of information gained via websites and questionnaires on traditional musical instruments commissioned by museums and prefectural and municipal boards of education across the country since 2001. A total of 6,305 items are registered in the database.
- Folk Entertainment Map
- http://mukei-map.tobunken.go.jp/map/map/?cid=1&gid=1&mid=12(Japanese language only)
- A database of locations of folk entertainment on the coast of Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima as well as basic information concerning the effects and recovery efforts related to the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.
- Festival and Event Map
- http://mukei-map.tobunken.go.jp/map/map/?cid=1&gid=1&mid=14(Japanese language only)
- A database of festival and event locations on the coast of Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima as well as basic information concerning the effects and recovery efforts related to the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.
- Kumamoto Prefecture Intangible Cultural Heritage Map (Provisional)
- https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1TfN7xjwPg0ruKu9MInI21PQa0bs&ll=32.65538282667625%2C130.620365&z=9(Japanese language only)
- A database based on the list provided in the Kumamoto Prefectural Theater’s “Database of Traditional Performing Art Undertakings by Municipality” with added information about cultural properties from the official Kumamoto Prefecture website.
- Intangible Cultural Property Archives [
- http://mukei311.tobunken.go.jp/index.php?gid=10027(Japanese language only)
- A database of records such as photographs and videos relating to folk entertainment, festivals, and events in the three prefectures of the Tohoku region affected by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. A total of 1,362 items are registered in the database.
- Ceramic Inkstones From the Nara Capital Site
- https://www.i-repository.net/il/meta_pub/G0000556touken(Japanese language only)
- A database based on “A Collection of Ceramic Inkstones from the Nara Capital Site”) published by the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties.
- 3D Bone Atlas Database
- http://mokuren.nabunken.go.jp/toukendb/toukendb.html(Japanese language only)
- A database of 3D bones created using three dimensional measurements of the heads of animal skeletons frequently excavated at archeological sites.
- SORAN GIS | Japanese Cultural Heritage GIS
- https://heritagemap.nabunken.go.jp/(Japanese language only)
- This GIS database contains information on hundreds of thousands of Japanese cultural heritage. You can easily find archaeological sites, historical buildings, and much more by browsing an annotated map of Japan. The system also provides direct links to archaeological fieldwork reports related to the historic sites.
Research
- Digital Research Archives
- https://webarchives.tnm.jp/home(Japanese language only)
- Searchable databases of the TNM collection as well as research papers.
- Activities Report
- http://www.tobunken.go.jp/materials/ekatudo
- Reports on the day-to-day investigations and research conducted by the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties.
- Sahoro Online Articles
- https://www.nabunken.go.jp/nabunkenblog/saho.html(Japanese language only)
- Daily staff research blog of the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties.
- Tanken! Nabunken
- https://www.nabunken.go.jp/nabunkenblog/tanken.html
- Online articles about the work done by the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties.
Appropriate links will be added later.