TOKYO--Canon Inc., in partnership with the Kyoto International Culture Foundation, today announced the launch of the Tsuzuri Project, a cooperative initiative that aims to preserve and pass on important Japanese cultural properties using the latest digital technologies.

The Tsuzuri Project is a new long-term initiative organized by the Kyoto International Culture Foundation as part of the organization's ongoing cultural heritage preservation activities. Canon is the sole co-sponsor of the project and is also providing technical expertise in the areas of digital imaging and reprography.

The project involves the digital recording of such important Japanese cultural properties as decorative byobu (folding screens) and fusuma (sliding doors), which have been passed down from ancient times. Through a unique combination of digital technology and traditional craftsmanship, high-resolution scale replicas, which are almost indistinguishable from the original work, will be produced based on the original digitally recorded data.

A Canon large-format printer will be used to print the replicas, to which skilled artisans will apply gold leaf and backing as necessary. The creation of such replicas will enable the original artwork to be stored in a controlled environment to prevent further deterioration, ensuring the prolonged preservation of priceless cultural heirlooms.

Through the creation of replicas that can be put on public display at multiple venues, the project aims to provide a wide audience with the chance to get a close-up view of outstanding examples of Japanese art and culture. In addition to the works' original owners, including temples whose properties have since left Japan, replicas will be donated to museums, universities, and prefectures with cultural properties.

A proposal to have recipient prefectures use the donated works as educational materials to teach primary and secondary school students about Japan's history, art and culture is also under consideration. Moreover, the project promises to yield advancements in the field of digital archiving by enabling the production of high- quality replicas based on original archived digital data.

During the course of the three-year project, which will run from March 2007 through the end of February 2010, plans call for more than 15 works to be reproduced. The works selected for the project were chosen from among all Japanese cultural properties in storage or on exhibit both inside and outside of Japan in a strict selection process based on such criteria as degree of cultural importance and rarity. Included among the selected works are several pieces that will be returning to Japan after long periods of installment in overseas collections.

Three pieces from the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, U.S.A., which are to have replicas made during the first year of the project, have generated great interest as the first works repatriated from overseas.

The works are Yatsuhashi-zu-byobu (Eight-Planked Bridge) by Ogata Korin, Roubai-zu-fusuma (The Old Plum) by Kano Sansetsu, and Resshigyohu-zu-fusuma by Kano Takanobu. Also, discussions are currently underway with the Tokyo National Museum to produce replicas of Shorin-zu-byobu (Pine Trees) by Hasegawa Tohaku, and with the Seattle Art Museum for Kinkishoga-zu-fusuma (The Four Accomplishments) by Kano Takanobu.

The Tsuzuri Project, which brings Canon's vast technological expertise in the fields of digital imaging and reprography together with the Kyoto International Culture Foundation's years of experience and know-how in the area of art preservation, not only ensures the survival of artwork representing the rich cultural heritage of Japan, but also enables these priceless treasures to be enjoyed by people around the world for many years to come. Through partnerships such as this, Canon and the Kyoto International Culture Foundation desire to continue contributing to the development of culture and society through art.