I have created a basic digital research environment for the study of Japanese art and culture. I will incorporate generative AI into this environment in an applied manner to make the archives function effectively in intellectual production activities. Focusing on the digitization of cultural resources in Japan, I will pursue the possibility of a next-generation research environment in the metaverse to promote regional collaboration using cultural resources, and promote digital public humanities (DPH), linking public humanities and digital humanities (DH).

Arts and culture are not directly related to “life” or “profit,” so they tend to be considered an afterthought. However, since this field enriches the human mind, in line with the concept of public humanities, we believe that the construction of a digital environment that allows each and every person to easily access and enjoy art and culture will ultimately lead to the enrichment of the people. To achieve this, it is necessary to create an environment that removes the barrier between art and culture and the public.

Japan’s artistic works and cultural resources continue to spread throughout the world. They serve as “cultural ambassadors,” so to speak, and have created an image of Japan as a country rich in subtlety and creativity. On the other hand, within Japan, there are local rituals, customs, festivals, and folk events that are closely connected to the local community and represent the spirit of the Japanese people. The goal is to create a research environment where Japan’s cultural resources, both those that have shaped its image abroad and those that evolve or fade away over time in Japan, coexist harmoniously, without boundaries.

The ARC Research Space (ARC-RS), which will be operated at the Art Research Center, is a DA system with a DB system in the background and will grow in the course of research activities. During the first year, a platform for the metaverse will be considered and experimental use of the system will begin, but full-scale operation will not begin until FY2025 or later. Meanwhile, steady digital archiving will be conducted without delay both inside and outside of Japan, and the number of organizations participating in the consortium will be increased.

The academic foundation of this research is Digital Humanities, which serves as a “common ground for methodology.” Embracing DPH as a catalyst for innovation in the humanities involves leveraging digital technology to expand and apply humanities knowledge from universities to society. This has the potential to significantly transform the educational model in the humanities. By spearheading this movement and aligning the advancement of research with the evolution of university education and research in the humanities, we aim to position our institution at the forefront of next-generation universities.

Partnerships:

I have collaborated with world-renowned museums and art galleries such as the British Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In this research, we aim to expand these individual collaborations with the world’s cultural and artistic fields and establish a consortium that will share a digital archive platform for Japanese culture and art. In Japan, I plan to begin by strengthening our partnership with Kyoto City and Kyoto Prefecture to enhance regional collaboration.

Research collaborations:

To understand the challenges faced by partner organizations from their perspective and to clarify what this research can and cannot contribute, I am committed to addressing those challenges. I aim to deepen our communication to better align our contributions with the partners’ needs. In addition, for a multi-partner group collaborative structure, the appropriate size of the organization should be determined so that the objectives are not ambiguous.