The following report was written by Mackenzie Massmann, a graduate student in the Museum Studies Program at the George Washington University.  Ms. Massman was a participant in the 2001 Summer Programs in Japan, co-sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the Japanese Ministry of Education and Science (Monbukagakusho).  She conducted her activities in Japan under the direction of Dr. Tsuneyuki Morita at the National Museum of Ethnology (Minpaku) in Osaka.  Ms. Massman can be reached at kenzie@gwu.edu.

1.         Activities and Findings 

A.  Research Description: 

The purpose of my research was to visit Japanese museums and assess the function of technology within those institutions in terms of collection care, exhibition design, and public education.  I also hoped to learn about the history of technology use in Japanese museums.  In general, Japanese museums demonstrate a strong commitment to initiating and developing technology to display and care for their collections, though public education is often secondary priority.  Much as in the United States, technology use varies depending on the size, budget, and type of museum; however, most Japanese museums tend to use some form of technology as a means for information distribution, as well as often to replicate some type of experience for the visitor. Fundamentally, technology cannot substitute for concrete interaction with artifacts, as often seems to be the intent of its use in Japanese museums.  Yet, visitors to such institutions benefit from the educational aspects of technologically enhanced interpretations provided they are self-motivated to use technology as fully as possible.  While intellectual access to information is a component of technological innovation, some Japanese museums seem to use technology in passive, often non-interactive ways, with little free choice learning opportunities for visitors.  At times, the use of technology within museum exhibits seems disconnected from the message of the exhibit and the interpretation of the objects.  The visitor must therefore make an effort to relate the information presented by the technology to the objects they are viewing.  In my research, I analyzed the use of replicas versus the use of real/physical objects in exhibits.   I also chronicled and assessed the types of audio-visual, computer, and conservation technology currently being used.  To illustrate these ideas, I conducted observational research in museums throughout Japan, particularly in the Kansai region, as part of a summer research fellowship supported by the Japanese Government’s Ministry of Education and Research (Monbukagakusho) and the National Science Foundation.  The National Museum o f Ethnology (Minpaku) and Dr. T. Morita served as a generous hosts and provided much of the “behind the scenes” observation opportunities.

B.      Research Activities: 

With my limited Japanese language abilities, the much of the research was necessarily observational.   In addition to working on a daily basis at the National Museum of Ethnology, museums visited over the course of the summer also included a variety of different types of institutions specializing in art, history, ethnology, and subject-specific topics, as well as historic properties (including temples and shrines). Most of the museums were located in major metropolitan areas such as Osaka, Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Kobe, and Nagoya.  As previously mentioned, much of the in-depth study was conducted at Minpaku, using its extensive library and the vast assistance of Dr. Morita.  Again, with the help of Dr. Morita, we were able to visit landscape model construction workshop and speak with the craftspeople about the process of model and replica making for museums.

C.  Findings: 

Please see the attached table for specific findings.  This table contains a list of the museums I visited during the course of my research and comments on their use of technology.  Additional conclusions will also be further developed in an up-coming paper.

D. Opportunities for training and development: 

Generally speaking, museum professionals and the museum community in the United States have recently begun to look at and study the operations and practices of foreign museums and cultural institutions.  The International Committee of Museums (ICOM) has helped to lead the way for academic collaboration.  The international exchange of ideas certainly benefits both sides.  For example, based on my observations during this project, while Japanese museums could learn from American conservation techniques, U.S. institutions could utilize Japanese technological innovation to improve the interpretive and educational elements of their museum displays and exhibitions.  This type of exchange would help to better preserve Japanese artifacts and aid American museums by making exhibits more interactive and challenging for more technologically savvy audiences.  Additional exchanges therefore are exciting for all involved.  

In terms of my professional development and training, Dr. Morita provided me with additional training in the use of complex digital imaging procedures and equipment and introduced me to the use of x-ray technology for artifact analysis (an area I had read about, not experienced firsthand) by observing his research.  My observations during my museum visits opened my eyes to new exhibition design and display techniques.  I also learned a great deal about the integration of technology with artifacts and models/replicas.  In the past, I had also not given much thought tot ht issues involved in using replicas and reproductions, an often highly technologically advanced component of Japanese museum displays that is less frequently used in the United States. 

My experiences in Japan and at Minpaku were also valuable for my personal and scholarly development.  I experienced the stress and confusion of traveling and exploring despite total illiteracy, unable to read not only scholarly journals, but even street signs and barely able to converse.  The ultimate result of finding ways to overcome these challenges generated a sense of accomplishment and pride, as well as improved communication skills.  My Japanese language skills improved to be sure, but my interpersonal skills also improves as I learned how important a smile and gesture can be in getting one’s point across.  I was very fortunate to be able to experience the tastes, sights, sounds, and smells of Japanese life and culture; the scent of the Tokyo fish markets still lingers in my mind as I write this report.  

My stay at the JICA Osaka International Centre and at the Graduate University of Advanced Study (Sokendai) was truly an intercultural, international exercise.  I met people from all over the world---England, France, Germany, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Palestine, Malaysia, Georgia, Russia, China, India, Nepal, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Costa Rica, Columbia, and the Solomon Islands.  At the time, I realized that I had been given the unique opportunity to share ideas with these people; hindsight has made me even more aware of my good fortune in this respect.  Just weeks after I returned from Japan, our nation was rocked to its core by the events of Sept. 11.  Having had the chance to talk with Middle Eastern Muslims at JICA, I feel that I had a better understanding of why this tragedy occurred and, unlike many other Americans whose reaction was to condemn all Muslims, all Arabs, All Middle Easterners, or even all foreigners, I was able to recognize that the blame rests on those who committed these acts rather than on the nations from which they hailed.  I now have friends and colleagues in Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Jordan, and Egypt and I know that they are not terrorists nor do they support terrorism.  Sept. 11th has made me understand the importance of international academic and ideological exchange; programs such as Monbukagakusho and others not only enhance scholarship, but also enhance cross-cultural understanding and empathy.              

E.  Outreach activities:

While I have not planned or conducted any outreach activities associated with this project, I have used my research in Japan as a point of discussion with other museum professionals in informal settings.

F.      Perspective of Research after this program: 

Following this program, I intend to continue my research through a study of secondary literature on the topic of the use and development of museum technology in Asia, specially looking at Japan.  I hope to publish a paper on my findings from my experiences in the Monbukagakusho program.  I also hope to possibility return to Japan at some point in the future to continue my observational research and to meet with more Japanese museum professionals to discuss the impact of technology on object care, exhibition design, and public education.  I also hope to discuss my observations with other American museum professionals to highlight ways in which American museums can improve their use of technology by looking at Japanese models for technological innovation and use.

2.         Products: 

This project has produced two reports, one for the Monbukagakusho staff and one for the National Science Foundation.  I am also working on an article and a longer paper, both of which I hope to get published in professional publications this Spring after I complete my secondary research.  I have not yet developed a website on this project and I do not plan to do so in the future.  I have not worked on any other products as aside from a personal scrapbook and travelogue. 

3.         Contributions: 

This project has contributed to the disciplines of museum studies, museum technology, and conservation by providing a new and one of very few studies on Japanese museum technology and exhibition practices from an American perspective.  The technology that I observed can perhaps be integrated into U.S. institutions. 

As noted above, my research and experience in Japan have had a huge impact on my personal and professional development.  My interest in Japan and Japanese culture has been heightened and I hope to return there in the future to continue my research and to learn more.  Many of the contacts that I made in Japan will be valuable in the future and I hope to continue corresponding and collaborating with them.  Perhaps someday, I will even be able to host them for a visit to the United States.  I feel that this project has made me a more rounded scholar and museum professional.  It has also helped me become employed in my field as my international experiences impressed and interested my current employers. 

My project’s main contribution to informational resources is in the beginning of the development of an English language bibliography on Japanese Museum Practices and Conservation techniques.  

Ultimately, I hope the result of my project on public welfare will be the improved care of Japanese cultural, artistic, and historical treasures, and the improved use of technology in American museums, both very far reaching goals.   On a smaller scale, my project will hopefully raise awareness in the museum community and lead to more cross-cultural and international academic exchanges.  From a personal standpoint, I plan to use my research as a starting point for integrating some types of Japanese technology into any American institutions that I may work for in the future to make museums more accessible and interesting to their audiences.

4.         Participants: 

This project involved Terri L. Anderson, a colleague from the George Washington University Museum Studies Program and a fellow Monbukagakusho participant, and me.  Dr. T. Morita at the National Museum of Ethnology (Minpaku) in Osaka served as our host scientist.  The collaboration between the three of us, particularly between Terri and I, was very valuable for my research.  I found it was helpful both academically and personally to have the opportunity to discuss my observations about not only Japanese museum practices, but also about Japanese life, culture and customs, with a close colleague.  We were able to assist each other by sharing resources and better utilize our contact with Dr. Morita by working together.  

We also received some support from others at Minpaku.  Miss Okabe, Dr. Morita’s secretary, assisted us with technical support and helped us keep in contact with Dr. Morita despite his busy schedule.  Richard Miller, PhD candidate in Ethnomusicology from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and research fellow at Minpaku, provide a great deal of information about the structure of the museum and tips about travel and other museums to visit during our stay.  Professor Hiroko Yokoyama and Kyosuke Sakai also assist us by providing information about Minpaku and advice on Japanese culture and tourism.  All of these contacts were valuable in assisting with our research. 

Outside Minpaku, Jennifer Perry of Oka Bokkodo Co., the Main Conservation Center for Oriental Art) was a vital resource in Kyoto.  She provided us with an American’s perspective of how the Japanese care for their cultural, artistic, and historical treasures.  She was also able to recommend locations for us to visit outside of the Kansai region.  Her insights were helpful as she was able to answer many of the questions that arose out of our observations.  

Another important resource was our meeting and tour of the Moriguchi Landscape Modeal Architecture Workshop (Keikan Mokei Kobo).  Prof. Morita arranged our visit with the Moriguchi family in Osaka.  They introduced us to the process of replica and model making for museums and demonstrated how models are produced.  Their staff was very kind about answering our questions about the uses and costs associated with using replicas in museums.  They also show us both the technological and handmade elements of model making, illustrating the unique combination of traditional handicraft with technological innovation that appeared to be common in other industries in Japan.  

I would also like to thank and commend the staff at the JICA Osaka International Centre for assisting us with logistical arrangement that made our research possible.  Beyond providing comfortable lodging for our two months stay, they also allowed us access to computers, the internet, bicycles, a shuttle service, and recreation facilities that made our experience both productive and enjoyable. 

Our partner organizations in this research were the National Science Foundation and Monbukagakusho.  The George Washington University Museum Studies Department also provided research and application assistance. 

Table 1: Museums and Cultural Institutions Visited by Mackenzie Massman and Terri Anderson
during Monbukakusho Summer Program, 2001