Ensuring that cultural properties survive for future generations

The Association for Conservation of National Treasures (ACNT) is an organization of conservators who specialize in conserving cultural properties, mainly paintings, calligraphies, classical books, historical documents, and other works of art. In 1959, the representatives of seven studios working to conserve nationally designated cultural properties came together to found the Association for the purpose of implementing various projects to improve restoration techniques for Japanese paintings and calligraphies. In 1995, these techniques became nationally designated Selected Conservation Techniques, and ACNT was approved as an organization that preserves these techniques.

Our basic philosophy is to serve as a bridge connecting individuals to cultural properties passed down over the ages. We work to master traditional techniques and learn about the theory, art, history, and other aspects of cultural property conservation. We seek to understand scientific materials and techniques for the conservation of mounted cultural properties.

Quality materials and tools are also critical for cultural property conservation, which must be maintained and passed down along with conservation techniques. The present situation surrounding materials and tools is one of persistent crisis. In response, we are working with the producers of these materials and tools to develop and train successors.

Cultural properties are national assets that form the core of Japanese culture. Accordingly, we have a great responsibility to preserve and pass them down to future generations. ACNT and its 10 member studios intend to contribute to society through the conservation of cultural properties.

We humbly ask for your increasing support and continued guidance for the work ahead.

The Association for Conservation of National Treasures (a General Incorporated Association)
Representative Director　　Noriko YAMAMOTO

ACNT aims to contribute to the conservation and preservation of cultural properties through such efforts as improving conservation techniques of Japanese paintings and calligraphies, exchanging knowledge related to improvement efforts, and fostering collaboration between member studios and other groups throughout Japan and the rest of the world.

1. Certify conservators technicians affiliated with corporate members
2. Host events for presenting research, technical seminars, lectures, tours, and more
3. Interact and cooperate with Japanese and global institutions that work with cultural properties
4. Develop, improve, and promote research of restoration techniques for Japanese paintings and calligraphies, and conservation materials
5. Cooperate to cultivate and train people with Selected Conservation Techniques for cultural properties in their involvement with conservation materials
6. Prepare for the joint purchase and stockpiling of conservation materials and common equipment
7. Develop and train successors in restoration techniques for Japanese paintings and calligraphies
8. Contract conservation projects, dispatch conservators, sell conservation-related materials
9. Other essential projects for achieving the association’s objectives

（as of June 1, 2024）

1959

The representatives of seven studios (five in Kyoto, one each in Tokyo and Osaka) working to restore nationally designated cultural properties came together and founded ACNT for the purpose of improving restoration techniques for Japanese paintings and calligraphies and implementing projects incidental to that goal

1960

Received the Organization Award (10th anniversary of the enactment of the Act on Protection of Cultural Properties) from the National Commission for Protection of Cultural Properties (presently the Agency for Cultural Affairs)

1967

Cooperated to produce Training of Experts in Conserving and Restoring Oriental Art, jointly hosted by UNESCO and the International Council of Museums (ICOM)
Translated H.J. Plenderleith’s The Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art: Treatment, Repair, and Restoration (1956) into Japanese.

1972

Began joint development of artificially deteriorating silk with electron beam irradiation, used for conserving picture silk-based cultural properties, with the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, and the Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute of the National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology

1978

Joined the National Federation for Cultural Property Conservation Techniques

1981-1983

Conducted a fact-finding survey on the supply and other aspects of materials for conserving architectural monuments by request from the Agency for Cultural Affairs

1988

Kyoto Congress of the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (IIC)

1990

Began cooperation for the project Preservation and Restoration of Japanese Antiques in Foreign Countries with the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, and the Foundation for Cultural Heritage and Art Research

1995

Restoration techniques for Japanese paintings and calligraphies became nationally designated Selected Conservation Techniques, and ACNT was approved as a group that preserves these techniques

Received a Special Award from The Japan Foundation

Hosted an international symposium Techniques for Conserving, Restoring, and Mounting Works of Japanese Art in the city of Nara, and held annual workshops starting the next year

2000

Received the Organization Award from the Minister of Education on the 50th anniversary of the Act on Protection of Cultural Properties

2003

Established an executive office on Oike-dori, Takakura-nishi-iru, Nakagyo-ku in the city of Kyoto

 

Launched systems for registering technicians and certifying conservation technicians

2004

Hosted an International Symposium on The Present and the Future of Oriental Cultural Property Conservation Technology in Kyoto city to commemorate the 10th annual workshop

2005

Incorporated The Association for Conservation of National Treasures, a limited liability intermediate corporation

Relocated the executive office to Higashinotoin-dori Oike-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku in Kyoto city, and began operating as a corporation

Launched website Began cooperating with the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties and ICCROM on an international course on paper

2006

Started a technical assistance project at The British Museum in the UK

Hosted the First International Symposium on Paper Conservation in East Asia in Beijing

Launched an internship program for conservators

Established the ACNT Distinguished Service Award

2007

Launched a program to support ACNT members

Co-hosted the Second International Symposium on Paper Conservation in East Asia in Dazaifu, Japan, with the Kyushu National Museum

2008

Hosted the Third International Symposium on Paper Conservation in East Asia in Seoul, Korea

Launched a trilateral project (Japan-China-South Korea) for paper conservation in East Asia

Launched the ACNT Conservators Standard Remuneration/Retirement Allowance System

2009

Changed corporate status of The Association for Conservation of National Treasures to a General Incorporated Association

Received a Special Award from the Third Yomiuri Aoniyoshi Awards for the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Properties

Celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Association’s founding

2010

Hosted the Fourth International Symposium on Paper Conservation in East Asia in Lanzhou, China

2011

Published Soko-shi (The History of Restoration Techniques for Japanese Paintings and Calligraphies) to commemorate the Association’s 50th anniversary

2012

Co-hosted the Fifth International Symposium on Paper Conservation in East Asia in Dazaifu, Japan, with the Kyushu National Museum

2014

Implemented Training in Conservation and Restoration using Japanese Paper with JICA

2015

Published Bunkazai no hozon shuri toyo kaiga shoseki no genzai (Conservation of Mounted Cultural Properties: The State of Oriental Paintings and Calligraphies)

2016

Hosted a workshop (Japanese Mounting exhibit) at The Kyoto University Museum

2018

Received an Agency for Cultural Affairs 50th Anniversary Award

2019

Lectured and hosted a workshop during the Cultural Property Conservation Technique Dissemination and Exchange Project in Kraków, Poland

Presented at ICOM Kyoto 2019

2020

 Involved in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage registration of traditional Japanese architectural craftsmanship—traditional techniques for conserving wood-framed structures

Members