Chapter 3. For the Protection and Utilization of Cultural Properties
�4 The Role of Science and Technology in Protecting Cultural Properties
2 Transmission of Techniques for the Conservation of Cultural Properties
(2) Securing of repair materials
Materials which have been used traditionally in their respective fields are indispensable to the preservation and repair of cultural properties. Some of these materials have become difficult to obtain, because social changes have brought about a decrease in demand, making their production unprofitable.
For subsidy purposes, techniques related to the production of these materials are selected as Traditional Conservation Techniques. Examples of techniques that are selected and subsidized include raising and harvesting flax (Choma-Seisan, Obiki) for the production of Echigo-jofu and Ojiya-chijimi fabric and the production of raw silk fiber reeled from cocoons used in making strings for Japanese musical instruments (Making Raw Threads for Japanese Musical Instruments) such as the shamisen, a three stringed instrument, and the koto, a kind of Japanese harp. There are also many cases in which the raw materials needed for tools used in traditional performing arts or craft techniques are becoming difficult to obtain, for example, snakeskin used in making the sanshin, an Okinawa musical instrument, and horsehide used in making the tsuzumi, or hand drum. It is necessary to maintain the close contact with and obtain the cooperation of related bodies in order to find the means for securing needed materials.
