Join us for a talk on Buddhist wooden sculpture with master woodcarver, sculptor and conservator Professor Yabuuchi Satoshi and researchers from the Sculpture Conservation and Restoration Laboratory at Tokyo University of the Arts (TUA). This event is presented as part of Japan House’s season of events co-organised with Nara prefecture exploring the religions of Japan.

Professor Yabuuchi, and the researchers at the Conservation and Restoration Laboratory, work with important museums and Buddhist temples in Japan to carry out research, conservation and restoration of cultural properties including Buddhist wooden sculpture.

During the event Professor Yabuuchi and members of the laboratory introduce their research into Buddhist wood carving while showing examples from their restoration and conservation work. The event also includes a demonstration of the kirikane decorative technique commonly used on Buddhist statues, and demonstrations of new techniques which the laboratory is developing to aid their work, such as the use of Augmented Reality (AR) technology to view 3D digital versions of important statues, located within museums and temples, while still at their laboratory.

During the day from 12:00-17:00 visitors to the ground floor at Japan House also have the opportunity to use this AR technology to enjoy 3D digital versions of iconic Buddhist wooden sculptures from Nara while still in London.

This event is part of a season of events allowing Japan House visitors to experience the sacred rites and rituals of the religions of Buddhism and Shinto led by representatives from the temples and shrines of Japan’s ancient capital of Nara. It coincides with the British Museum’s display of rare Buddhist and Shinto treasures ‘Nara: sacred images from Early Japan’.

Booking essential; Admission free