Scientific research on the use of white pigment in Japanese paintings during the 12-19th centuries

• Project/Area Number: 24520125
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Aesthetics/Art history
• Research Institution: Independent Administrative Institution National Institutes for Cultural Heritage Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties
• Principal Investigator: HAYAKAWA Yasuhiro 独立行政法人国立文化財機構東京文化財研究所, 保存修復科学センター, 分析科学研究室長 (20290869)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): SHIRONO Seiji 独立行政法人国立文化財機構東京文化財研究所, 企画情報部, 専門職員 (70470028)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2014)
• Budget Amount: ¥5,070,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,170,000); Fiscal Year 2014: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000); Fiscal Year 2013: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000); Fiscal Year 2012: ¥2,080,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥480,000)
• Keywords: 彩色材料 / 白色絵具 / 蛍光X線分析 / 日本画

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Scientific study using X-ray fluorescense spectrometry had been carried out to analyze white pigments used in Japanese paintings during the 12-19th centuries. The reason of transition from lead-white to shell-white cannnot be revealed, however some examples in which both pigments are used in one paintng. An important information about the use of white pigment in Japanese painting has been obtained.

Research Products

• [Journal Article] 蛍光エックス線分析による伊藤若冲 菜蟲譜の彩色材料調査 (2014)
  • Author(s): 早川泰弘、城野誠治
  • Journal Title: 保存科学 Volume: 53 Pages: 55-66
  • NAID: 40020123086
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Presentation] 可搬型蛍光X線分析装置による日本絵画の顔料調査 (2015)
  • Author(s): 早川泰弘
  • Organizer: プラズマ分光分析研究会第93回講演会
  • Place of Presentation: 東京工業大学
  • Year and Date: 2015-03-06
  • Invited
• [Presentation] 泰西王侯騎馬図屏風の彩色材料調査 (2012)
  • Author(s): 早川泰弘、城野誠治
  • Organizer: 日本文化財科学会第29回大会
  • Place of Presentation: 京都大学