Paper short abstract:

Even though scientific material analysis has become a staple in manuscript studies, it has hardly been used to explore the still unclear production circumstances of 16th- and 17th-century manuscripts known as Nara ehon. This presentation will present first steps into that direction.

Paper long abstract:

Scientific material analysis has been a staple of manuscript studies, and techniques and machines are evolving constantly. So far, research in Japan has predominantly used techniques like x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) to analyse colourants (pigments and dyes) in paintings and other objects. However, especially in illustrated manuscripts, XRF can shed light on otherwise unclear production processes. As a case in point, details about the manufacture of 16th- and 17th-century manuscripts known as Nara ehon have been hypothetical until today. The manuscripts do not usually contain imprints or colophons, and their scribes, painters and other artisans involved in their production are largely unknown. By uncovering several layers of production for Nara ehon, we can better understand what role manuscripts played in a pivotal historical period in which printed books were gaining momentum in the reader's market.

XRF can reveal more about the Nara ehon production. For instance, comparing colourants allows us to trace workshops or painters working in close proximity. While manuscript-sets may be equipped with a consistent design, illustrations have sometimes been produced by different artists. Using XRF, we can disclose whether illustrations consist of the same materials, indicating one artist or the same workshop, in the same place or in different places. Considering the mass production of Nara ehon precious materials and the sophistication of colour usage are of special interest. Exemplary research questions are: Do the oblong formatted manuscripts that are transmitted in large number actually contain gold pigments, a mixture or something else? Did painters differentiate between contour black and area black?

This talk first outlines the state of the art of scientific material analysis in Japanese manuscript studies. Focusing on Nara ehon, the talk examines the challenges and advantages of techniques like XRF for the study of Japanese manuscripts. In the second part it will present first results of a case study that demonstrates a level of sophistication in the colour usage of Nara ehon, that has not been recognized before.