For Keisuke Sugiyama, 46, an associate professor at Tohoku University of Art and Design and former senior conservator for the British Museum Hirayama Studio, painting conservation is a foray into history, both national and personal.
1. What does a Japanese painting conservator do? We examine and restore works painted on silk or paper using traditional Japanese techniques and offer preventive conservation.
2. What are the basic steps to restoring a painting? We start with photographing and examining the work. Then we document findings in a condition report, which is necessary to discuss a conservation policy with the item’s owner. Only after that do we actually start the restoration. Then we write another report when we finish.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.