The Harvard Bunkazai Project is a three-year research initiative exploring the nature and history of Japanese bunkazai—a term often translated as “cultural property,” but encompassing a uniquely Japanese system of heritage, knowledge, and practice. Directed by Yukio Lippit (Jeffrey T. Chambers and Andrea Okamura Professor of the History of Art and Architecture) and Melissa McCormick (Andrew W. Mellon Professor of Japanese Art and Culture), the project brings together scholars across disciplines and investigates how Japan’s approaches to cultural preservation have shaped global understandings of heritage, conservation, and artistry.
Japan’s bunkazai framework—spanning tangible and intangible traditions, national treasures, religious institutions, and cutting-edge collaborations between government, artisans, and private industry—represents one of the world’s most comprehensive heritage ecosystems. The project seeks to examine these interconnections through research, teaching, and exchange.
At Harvard, the Bunkazai Project aims to:
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Foster collaboration between Harvard and leading Japanese institutions such as the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the Imperial Household Agency, and Japan’s National Museums.
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Host visiting specialists from Japan’s major bunkazai research centers for short residencies and public events.
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Organize international symposia and scholarly publications on topics such as the Shōsōin Imperial Treasury.
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Engage the private sector through partnerships with organizations including NHK, Yomiuri, Canon, and Toppan to explore new technologies in preservation and art historical research.
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Support student involvement by creating opportunities for field study, digital collaboration, and professional training.
Through these activities, the Bunkazai Project seeks to advance global understanding of Japan’s cultural heritage systems and establish lasting ties between scholars, practitioners, and institutions in Japan and at Harvard.