Annual Report 2006

Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures Annual Report 2005-06 The Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures was founded in 1999 through the generosity of Sir Robert and Lady Sainsbury. An independent charity, the Sainsbury Institute is affiliated with the University of East Anglia and working in association with the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and the British Museum. Its purpose is to promote the study of material and visual cultures of the Japanese archipelago and, in doing so, to act as a catalyst for international research in the field. The Institute’s objectives are: to engage international scholars in collaboration and active research networks; to disseminate this research through publications and other means; to continue the development of the Lisa Sainsbury Library as a premier library resource for Japanese arts, cultures and archaeology. Contents Message from the Japanese Ambassador 2 Foreword from the Chair of the Management Board 3 Director’s statement 4 Lisa Sainsbury Library and research resources 6 Research networks 10 Lectures and symposia 20 Fellowships 28 Outreach and cultural collaboration 32 Appendices Supporters 36 Management Board and staff 37 Calendar of events 38 Third Thursday lectures 40 Current and past fellows 41 Publications 42 Management and finance 46 Message from the Japanese Ambassador The length and richness of cultural and academic exchange between Japan and the UK is symbolised by the number of British-based organisations active in this field. Amid such thriving activity, the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures, under the superb leadership of Dr Nicole Coolidge Rousmaniere, who has served as its Director since its establishment just seven years ago, has achieved an eminent status among Japan-related research institutions not only in the UK but throughout Europe. In whatever field they may be active, the mission of research organisations in the 21st century is becoming steadily more diverse and multifaceted. On top of their traditional function of bringing together outstanding researchers, intensifying their research activities and disseminating the fruits of their endeavours to the world at large, they now have to achieve the task of developing networks of contacts and building partnerships with other bodies. From this standpoint, I am very struck by the emphasis that the Sainsbury Institute places on forging links with organisations involved in Japanese arts, culture and archaeology both within and outside the UK. However, what I value most is the way both the Institute’s Trustees Ambassador and Madame Nogami visited and its staff have built up a first-class research facility while placing the the Institute on 17 June 2005 and marked the utmost importance on maintaining cordial links with the outside world on occasion by planting a rosa bonica in the front the individual level. For instance, the success of the Third Thursday lectures garden, in the company of Sainsbury Institute is clear evidence of the way the Institute has won the support of the local Trustee Dame Elizabeth Esteve-Coll. community. One can also point to the many Japanese people in the UK who are invited to attend events at the Institute and thus travel to Norwich from London and elsewhere. One of the secrets of the Institute’s success and growth seems to be that, even in an age of instant communications, it has never forgotten the importance of direct contact and dialogue. I would like to pay tribute to Sir Robert and Lady Sainsbury, without whose deep affection and support for Japanese culture and the arts the Institute would not have come into being. Moreover, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the Gatsby Charitable Foundation for the backing which has enabled the Institute to expand the scope of its activities as well as to thank the many other people involved in Japan-UK relations who have shown keen interest in the Institute and have supported it in their various ways. I trust that, just like the rosa bonica that Dame Elizabeth Esteve-Coll and I planted in its garden and inspired by the grandeur and endurance of Norwich Cathedral by its side, the Sainsbury Institute will go from strength to strength. His Excellency Mr Yoshiji Nogami Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Embassy of Japan in the UK 2 | SAINSBURY INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF JAPANESE ARTS AND CULTURES Foreword from the Chair of the Management Board In just seven years the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures has established an enviable reputation. Led by its founding Director, Dr Nicole Coolidge Rousmaniere, the Institute has created an exciting set of networks and partnerships which provide the foundation for the extensive activities outlined in this report. This is the first annual report the Institute has produced. It reviews the first year of the implementation of its five-year academic and financial plan, underpinned by the generous support of the Gatsby Charitable Foundation. In addition to the core funding from the magnificent benefaction from Sir Robert and Lady Sainsbury, Gatsby’s support has facilitated an original, innovative and diverse programme of research and public engagement. The results are impressive. The Institute has secured a high reputation Above: Professor Bill Macmillan was within the academic community. It has also gained the respect and appointed Vice-Chancellor of UEA in September 2006, following Professor David goodwill of the local community in Norwich and East Anglia and stimulated Eastwood’s appointment as Chief Executive much interest in Japanese arts and cultures, through activities such as the of the Higher Education Funding Council Third Thursday lectures. The results of the new research undertaken are for England. The Vice-Chancellor of the being widely disseminated both in traditional forms and as publications University is ex officio Chair of the Institute’s Management Board and a Sainsbury Institute on the web, creating a high profile for the Institute’s activities around the Trustee. world. The Institute is dependent on a wide range of external sponsors Below: The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts for its research programme, and is actively engaged in seeking support at UEA houses the Robert and Lisa Sainsbury from organisations and individuals to enhance its activities. On behalf Collection. It was re-opened in May 2006 following a major refurbishment and building of the Director and her staff, the Trustees and the Management Board of project, designed by Foster and Partners. the Institute, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the donors and well-wishers for their support in the realisation of the vision of the benefactors. Professor Bill Macmillan Vice-Chancellor, University of East Anglia Chair of the Management Board Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures ANNUAL REPORT 2005-06 | 3 Director’s Statement Above: The headquarters of the Sainsbury Institute is located in the Cathedral Close at the centre of the medieval city of Norwich. ‘No. 64’ was originally part of the 12th- century cloisters, with subsequent Georgian and Victorian additions. Right: Dish by Japanese Living National Treasure Tokuda Yasokichi III. It is on display in the Japanese Galleries at the British Museum. 4 | SAINSBURY INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF JAPANESE ARTS AND CULTURES In the seven years since the foundation of the Sainsbury Institute we have been guided by the vision of our benefactors, Sir Robert and Lady Sainsbury. Since 1999 the Sainsbury Institute has achieved recognition as a unique creative force in the development of the study of Japanese arts and cultures in all their diversity. The visionary endowment from Sir Robert and Lady Lisa Sainsbury will continue to provide the financial foundation for our work but we could not have achieved what we have to date, nor can we expect to implement our plans for 2005-10, without the extraordinary generosity of the Gatsby Charitable Foundation. We have also benefited in our many programmes through the support of such institutions as the Toshiba International Foundation, the Japan Foundation, the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation, the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation and the British Academy, through private donations, and through collaborative projects with other academic institutions such as Ritsumeikan and Kyushu universities, the Centre Européen d’Etudes Japonaises d’Alsace, and through the support of the Japanese Embassy. In this first annual report we are able to review the achievements of the past year, built on the foundations of the last seven years. August 2005 to July 2006 was the first year of a five-year academic and financial plan, based on a rigorous review of the academic achievements of the Institute in its first years. This underpins the operation of the Institute and allows us to seek external support for further research projects and outreach effectively. We have initiated exciting new research networks, stimulating Japanese arts and archaeology studies in Europe. Recognition of the significance of this can be found in the success of the Postgraduate Workshop in Japanese Art History, the first to be held in Europe of this prestigious series dedicated to nurturing future Japanese art historians. These networks generate innovative research projects leading to Top: The Sainsbury Institute organised a the lectures, workshops and symposia through which we are helping to one-day workshop in conjunction with the British Museum and TrAIN Research Centre, disseminate, inform and influence the study of Japanese arts and cultures. University of the Arts London titled mingei, Our Norwich headquarters in the beautiful surroundings of the which aimed to reinvigorate debate about Cathedral Close, centred on the Lisa Sainsbury Library, continues to be the Bernard Leach and the concept of craft in the focus of our activities. The Library, thanks to generous bequests and an 21st century.

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