Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties
- Established: 1930
- Other Names: 東文研 (Tôbunken)[1]
- Japanese: 東京文化財研究所 (Tôkyô bunkazai kenkyûjo)
The Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, commonly known as Tôbunken, is a major cultural studies center in Tokyo.
The Institute was originally established in 1930, under the name Bijutsu kenkyûjo (Art Research Institute). It was originally led by historian Yashiro Yukio (1890-1975), who wished to build collections of photographs of artworks, as a resource for arts & culture research. This idea was inspired by his experiences conducting research overseas in London in 1925, and is also said to have been in keeping with the wishes of artist Kuroda Seiki (d. 1924).
References
- Gallery labels, "Founding a Center for Research on Art," Tokyo National Museum.[1]
- ↑ Not to be confused with the Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (Tôyô bunka kenkyûjo) at the University of Tokyo, which is also known as Tôbunken.