As the second in our series “Digital Humanities Seminars”, we held a public seminar via an online connection between Waseda University, Gakushuin University, the University of Tokyo, Tohoku University, Osaka University and Harvard University online, using 8K content (3DCG generated using high-resolution image data = photogrammetry) of the Horyuji Kuze Kannon from the NHK Shibuya Broadcasting Station to each university.
At the beginning of the seminar, Professor Mai Sarai of Gakushuin University explained that 8K cultural property content is being produced as a joint project between the Tokyo National Museum and NHK for public viewing at exhibition venues and broadcast use, and that this seminar was being held as a trial to expand its use for research and educational purposes in the future.
After that, 3DCG was synchronized at each venue, and Professor Sarai, Professor Yutaka Fujioka of Osaka University, and Professor Ryusaku Nagaoka of Tohoku University gave explanations about the interpretation of form, technique, and iconography from the perspective of the history of sculpture, the spread of Kannon images in East Asia, and the beliefs associated with them.
Waseda venue: The hand of the Savior Kannon is a work of superlative skill, carved from a single piece of wood, including its jewel!
Moreover, Associate Professor Ryusuke Masuki of the University of Tokyo, Professor Yukio Lippit of Harvard University, and Professor Satomi Yamamoto of Waseda University added questions and comments about how to think about the similarities in the form of wood and gilt bronze Buddhist statues, the issue of the materials and colors of the Buddha and spirituality, and the similarities in faith with the “Tamamushi no Zushi”. Furthermore, it was possible to answer questions from participating students in an interactive way across universities, and a dynamic classroom space was achieved.
A restored image of the Kuze Kannon statue’s crown, which is thought to have been decorated with jewel beetle wings
Harvard venue: Professor Yukio Lippit and students studying Japanese art, Chinese art, Asian history, etc.
Viewing one of the greatest works in the history of Japanese sculpture in 8K quality and freely discussing it while focusing on the desired parts was a valuable opportunity to experience new methods and possibilities in the humanities. A total of 151 people participated from the six universities. The event connected universities in Japan and overseas in real time, and there were also comments from a wide range of specialist fields, including not just art history but also literature and history. The dialogue with detailed observations of the Buddhist statues was a very stimulating experience.
（Written by Satomi Yamamoto in Japanese ver.）
Waseda venue: Graduate students observing the 8K images using a controller
Waseda venue: It applies a game controller, so it’s easy to use.
Harvard venue: Lecture while checking the details of the crown of the Kuze Kannon
Event Overview
- Date and time：October 8, 2024 9:00-11:00（JST）
- Format：Face to face
- Venue：Conference Rm. 1, Bldg. 33, 3rd Fl., Toyama Campus
- Lecturers：Mai Sarai （ Professor of Gakushuin University）、Ryusaku Nagaoka（Professor of Tohoku University）、Yutaka Fujioka（Professor of Osaka University）
- Commentator：Satomi Yamamoto（Professor of FLAS, Waseda University）、Ryusuke Masuki （Associate Professor of the University of Tokyo）、Yukio Lippit（Professor of Harvard University）
- Organized by：Research Institute for Letters, Arts and Sciences（Image Culture History）
- Co-organized by ：Ryusaku Tsunoda Center of Japanese Culture／早稲田大学美術史学会
