Ritsumeikan University：Research Center for Disaster Mitigation of Urban Cultural Heritage

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Reports

• DMUCH Opening memorial lecture (2006.4.12)
  Opening memorial lecture of Research Center for Disaster Mitigation of Urban Cultural Heritage, Ritsumeikan University. Special lecture "Cultural assets and disaster mitigation" from Mr. Seihan Mori, the head priest of Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto.
• International Symposium (2006.3.15-16)
  International symposium entitled as "2nd Two Days Symposium on Mechanics of Sediment Transportation, Debris Flow, Land-slides, River-change and Assosiated Flood Hazards" was held in Ritsumeikan University. The participants from abroad were as follows: Prof. Lopez and Prof. Falcon of Universidad Central de Venezuela, Dr. Papa of University of Salerno, Italy, Dr. Martino of University of Naples, Italy and Prof. Bateman of Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Spain.
• Taiwan-Japan International Symposium (2006.3.14)
  Five professors and seven students went abroad to Taiwan, and perticipated the international symposium at Taiwan National Cheng-Kung University on the cultural heritage disaster mitigation.
  
• Meeting of Joint Network of Researchers in Cultural Heritage Disaster Mitigation (2006.3.13)
  Annual meeting of the joint network of researchers in cultural heritage disaster mitigation was held after the opening ceremony of the new building of Research Center for Disaster Mitigation of Urban Cultural Heritage, Ritsumeikan University. The importance of the list of the cultural assets for their rescue after the natural disasters was recognized.
• 20th seminar of Kyoto History Disaster Society (2006.3.16)
  "Reconstruction of Kyoto Imperial Palace following fire in 1854" by Assoc. Prof. Eiju Suzuki of Kyoto Pharmaceutical University.
• 19th seminar of Kyoto History Disaster Society (2006.1.20)
  "Information and records in disaster history research at the early modern age" by Prof. Shigeru Kobayashi of Osaka University.
• 2nd Symposium on Disaster Mitigation and Information System (2006.1.20)
  "Information Network System at Disasters"
  "Construction of urgent information network at disaster occurrence" by Prof. Akira Watanabe (Dept. of Information Eng., Meijo Univ.), "Urgent earthquake information and information appliances" by Prof. Hitoshi Ogawa (Dept. of Information and Communication Sci., Ritsumeikan Univ.), "Disaster and emergengy preparedness" by Mr. Noriyuki Nakamura (Kinki regional development bureau of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport) and "Shelter action of Kyoto citizens at earthquake disasters" by Prof. Hiroshi Tsukaguchi (Dept. of Civil Eng., Ritsumeikan Univ.). The numbers of participants were around 100.
• 8th seminar of Urban Cultural Heritage Disaster Mitigation (2005.12.19)
  "Geotechnical approach to conservation of cultural assets" "Ancient tomb of Takamatsuzuka from geotechnical point of view" by Assoc. Prof. Mamoru Mimura of Kyoto University Disaster Prevention Research Institute. "Shapes and structures of stone walls - Disaster mitigation of Japanese castles" by Dr. Hiroyuki Morimoto of Kyoto City Fushimi Technical High School.
• International Seminar on the Protection of World Cultural Heritage (2005.12.14-16)
  Public Discussion on Dec.14; "Recent Developments in Conservation Strategies"; Key-note Lecture by Dr. Jukka Jokilehto, "Present situation of Cultural Heritage Protection and its Risk Management" by Prof. Kenzo Toki, Ritsumeikan Univ., "World Heritage Center's recent activities on World Cultural Heritage's risk management and future perspective" by Dr. Fujio Ichihara, World Heritage Centre, UNESCO, "A case study report from Korea" by Dr. Choi. Byungha, Korea A.C.A., "A case study report from Iran" by Dr. Azar Jokilehto, and "Cultural Heritage Risk Management - recent initiatives in Asia" by Dr. Rohit Jigyasu, Consultant, UNESCO New Delhi. Expert Meetings on Dec.15-16; Panel discussion on "Tasks and future possibilities of cultural heritage's risk management " and "Development of training curriculum on heritage risk management", all chaired by Prof. Dr. Kanefusa Masuda and coordinated by Dr. Naoko Itaya, Research Center for DMUCH, Ritsumeikan Univ.
• 18th seminar of Kyoto History Disaster Society (2005.12.9)
  "Trace of volcanic ash and history of volcanic disaster" by Prof. Hiroshi Moriwaki of Kagoshima University.
• Taiwan-Japan International Symposium (2005.12.8)
  "Disaster Mitigation of Urban Cultural Heritage"
  Lectures by Prof. Der-Her Lee (National Cheng-Kung University), Prof. Kuang-Yih Yeh (National Cheng-Kung University), Assc. Prof. Chin-Sheng Ku (I-Shou University), Assist. Prof. Yun-Yao Ji (Chang Jung Christian University), Assist. Prof. Ho-Min Lin (Leader University), Mr. Has-Ching Hsia (National Cheng-Kung University), Prof. Ryoichi Fukagawa (Ritsumeikan University), Assist. Prof. Takahiro Ito (Ritsumeikan University) and Assist. Prof. Keiichi Ogawa (Ritsumeikan University). The number of participants was about 40.
• 1st Symposium on Cultural Heritage Disaster Mitigation (2005.12.2)
  "Cultural Heritage Disaster Mitigation -Analysis of Time and Space Information-"
  Lectures "Simulation of post-earthquake fire in historical city" by Prof. Takeyoshi Tanaka of Kyoto University Disaster Prevention Institute, "Simulation of landslides and debris flow" by Prof. Shinji Egashira of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, "Visualization of natural disaster history of cultural heritage" by Prof. Kenzo Toki of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, "GIS and cultural heritage in Kyoto" by Assoc. Prof. Yuki Nakaya of Letters, Ritsumeikan University, "Buried cultural property and GIS" by Prof. Takao Uno of International Research Center for Japanese Studies.
• 8th Progress Report Meeting, The Visit to Zenkoji Temple (2005.11.5-6)
  Member's progress report meeting was held in Nagano City. After the meeting, we heard the lecture from Prof. Toshikazu Tsuchimoto of Shinshu University about "Current state and disaster history of Zenkoji Temple". Then we visited Zenkoji Temple to see the restoration work of the cultural assets "San-mon".
  
• Special Lectures (2005.10.22)
  "21st Century COE Program: Disaster Mitigation of Urban Cultural Heritage"
  Lectures by Prof. Kenzo Toki (College of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan Univ.), Prof. Masatake Murahashi (College of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan Univ.), Prof. Ryoichi Fukagawa (College of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan Univ.), Assc. Prof. Kazuhiro Hirao (College of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan Univ.) and Prof. Makoto Kawai (College of Information Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan Univ.). The number of participants was 115.
• Emergency Training (2005.10.21)
  As a part of disaster mitigation education, an emergency training was carried out with cooperation of the fire department of Shiga. Training for use of a fire extinguisher, and trial of earthquake vibration using a shaking table.
  
• Progress Evaluation (2005.10.12)
  The progress evaluation result at mid-term was announced by the 21st Century COE Program Committee. The committee reported that the fruit is expected as a new research base challenging the modern problems in the historical cities, and our objectives might be achieved by continuing the current effort.
• 1st Symposium on Disaster Mitigation and Information System (2005.9.30)
  "Numerical Simulations for Spreading Process of Disaster"
  Lectures by Prof. Shinji Egashira (Dept. of Civil Eng., Ritsumeikan Univ.), Prof. Kazuya Inoue (Professor emeritus of Kyoto University) and Mr. Koji Tanimoto (Kinki regional development bureau of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport). Panel discussions by coordinator: Prof. Hiroji Nakagawa (Guest professor of Ritsumeikan University). The numbers of participants were around 200.
• Survey on damage and restoration of 2004 Niigata-ken Chuetsu earthquake (2005.9.13-15)
  Damage and restoration of 2004 Niigata-ken Chuetsu earthquake in Nagaoka City, Tohkamachi City and Ojiya City were investigated. We asked the staffs at Tohkamachi City Museum and Nagaoka Municipal Science Museum about damage of their cultural assets; Jomon wares (ancient straw-rope pattern potteries), and discussed about countermeasures. We also surveyed the slope collapse site in the mountain castle.
  
• 4th Symposium on Urban Cultural Heritage Disaster Mitigation (2005.8.31)
  "Advanced technology for urban cultural heritage disaster mitigation"
  Lectures by Prof. Der-Her Lee (National Cheng-Kung University of Taiwan), Prof. Ryoichi Fukagawa (Dept. of Civil Eng., Ritsumeikan Univ.), Dr. Tetsuo Mizuta (COE Post-Doctoral Fellow of Ritsumeikan Univ.), Prof. Hiroshi Tsukaguchi (Dept. of Civil Eng., Ritsumeikan Univ.) and Prof. Tsunehiko Nakanishi (Dept. of Electrical & Electronic Eng., Ritsumeikan Univ.)
  
• 17th seminar of Kyoto History Disaster Society (2005.7.14)
  "Source process of Ohmi-Wakasa earthquake in 1662" by Mr. Taku Komatsubara of National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. "Damage by Ohmi-Wakasa earthquake in 1662" by Mr. Akihito Nishiyama of Ohtani University.
• Annual Meeting on Urban Cultural Heritage Disaster Mitigation (2005.6.18)
  All our members reported on the progress of own researches. More than 50 people participated in the meeting and discussed on the disaster mitigation.
  
• 16th seminar of Kyoto History Disaster Society (2005.6.17)
  "Earthquake disaster history in Tokyo" by Prof. Iware Matsuda of Kanto Gakuin University.
  Earthquake disaster in Tokyo due to Ansei Edo Earthquake in 1855 (inland type earthquake) and Kanto Earthquake in 1923 (plate boundary type earthquake) were compared.
• 15th seminar of Kyoto History Disaster Society (2005.5.20)
  "Analysis of disaster location considering geographical history" by Prof. Kazuko Uchida of Okayama University.
  Geographical features and artificial land modification control the aspect of natural disaster. Vulnerability of a polder and a land over old river are discussed using examples of storm surges and floods.
• 14th seminar of Kyoto History Disaster Society (2005.4.22)
  "Landscape and Disaster Mitigation around Kamo river of Kyoto in Edo era" by Prof. Akihisa Yoshikoshi of Ritsumeikan University.
  He explained the meaning and the details of Kanbun embankment at Kamo river of Kyoto, which was constructed in the 17th century (Edo era). This embankment fixed the route of Kamo river and made it possible to construct a new town, however, it was not useful for disaster mitigation.
• International Workshop on Policy Science (2005.3.16-25)
  21st Century COE Program entitled with "Disaster Mitigation of Urban Cultural Heritage" conducted second international workshop: "Policy Formulation for Urban Development and Conservation of Historical and Cultural Areas in Kyoto" in two weeks from 16th March since 2005 to 25th Mar. in joint collaboration between Ritsumeikan University and Thammasat University, Thailand.
  
• 13th seminar of Kyoto History Disaster Society (2005.3.16)
  "Flood control in Tokugawa and Edo era" by Mr. Takeo Nakamura of Bukkyo University. The role of Kyoto So-Gamae embankment as flood control was discussed.
• Agreement of research cooperation (2005.3.11)
  Research Center for Disaster Mitigation of Urban Cultural Heritage, Ritsumeikan University and Engineering Research Center of National Cheng-Kung University in Taiwan concluded the agreement of the research cooperation.
  
• International Symposium (2005.3.10-11)
  International symposium on disaster mitigation of historical city from debris flow was held in Ritsumeikan University. The participants from abroad were as follows: Prof. Lopez and Prof. Falcon of Universidad Central de Venezuela, Dr. Papa of University of Salerno, Italy and Dr. Martino of University of Naples, Italy came to Ritsumeikan University.
• 7th seminar of Urban Cultural Heritage Disaster Mitigation (2005.3.8)
  "Disaster mechanism of 2004 Niigata-Chuetsu Earthquake" by Dr. Manabu Takahashi (Dept. of Geography, Ritsumeikan University)
  "Tsunami in Sri Lanka by 2004 Off Sumatra Earthquake" by Dr. Naohiko Yamamoto (Dept. of Architecture and Urban Design, Ritsumeikan University)
• 12th seminar of Kyoto History Disaster Society(2005.1.28)
  "Historical scenery around Kamo river and traces of flood" by Prof. Hirofumi Katahira of Ritsumeikan University. The trace of the flood in the middle ages was discovered at the left bank of Kamo river.
• Symposium at United Nations World Conference on Disaster Reduction (2005.1.19-20)
  "Cultural Heritage Disaster Mitigation"
  The international symposium on cultural heritage disaster mitigation was held as a public forum event of the United Nations World Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe city. A symposium was planed to joint researchers and associations inside and outside of Japan. Not only the researchers of natural science and engineering, but also cultural science and social science attended the Joint Network of Researchers in Cultural Heritage Disaster Mitigation. Topics were related to the natural disaster mitigation in historical city, the history of the natural disasters which suffered cultural heritages and restoration of the cultural heritages after the natural disasters.
• 4th Meeting of Joint Network of Researchers in Cultural Heritage Disaster Mitigation(2005.1.11)
  Final meeting for the Joint Symposium on January 19-20th, held as an open forum event of the United Nations World Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe.
• 11th seminar of Kyoto History Disaster Society (2004.12.21)
  "Pray for rain events in Edo period" by Prof. Kunihiko Mizumoto of Kyoto Prefectural Univ.
• Emergency Lifesaving Training (2004.12.17)
  As a part of disaster mitigation education, an emergency lifesaving training was carried out with cooperation of the fire department of Shiga.
  
• 3rd Meeting of Joint Network of Researchers in Cultural Heritage Disaster Mitigation (2004.12.13)
  Discussion about the program of the Joint Symposium on January 19-20th, held as an open forum event of the United Nations World Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe.
• Presentation at ASTER fair in Ritsumeikan University (2004.12.9-10)
  Panel presentation at industry-university cooperation fair "ASTER fair" at BKC campus of Ritsumeikan University.
  
• Special Lecture on Ground Disaster (2004.11.26)
  "Damage by slope failure during heavy rain in Malaysia" by Prof. Shukri Maail (University Putra Malaysia, Faculty of Engineering)
• 3rd Symposium on Urban Cultural Heritage Disaster Mitigation (2004.11.16)
  "A view of disaster history and disaster prevention"
  Lectures by Akira Sangawa (National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology), Muneharu Mizukoshi (Professor Emeritus of Mie University), Itoko Kitahara (Kanagawa University), Tamehito Reizei (Visiting Professor of Ritsumeikan University) and Yuukou Yamazaki (Associate Professor of Ritsumeikan University)
  
• 2nd Meeting of Joint Network of Researchers in Cultural Heritage Disaster Mitigation (2004.11.15)
  Discussion about Joint Symposium on January, held as an open forum event of the United Nations World Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe city.
• 10th seminar of Kyoto History Disaster Society (2004.11.12)
  "Folkloric Image of Natural Disasters" by Prof. Tatsuhiko Sakurai of Nagoya University.
• The visit to Chion-in temple (2004.10.23)
  Our members visited Chion-in temple. We inspected the natural disaster reduction system for the historical temple.
• 9th seminar of Kyoto History Disaster Society (2004.10.22)
  "History of flood and improvement of Kamo-River" by Mr. Masaru Yasuda (River Department of Kyoto Prefecture)
• 1st Meeting of Joint Network of Researchers in Cultural Heritage Disaster Mitigation (2004.9.22)
  More than 10 groups gathered to discuss the joint research about cultural heritage disaster mitigation.
• 6th seminar of Urban Cultural Heritage Disaster Mitigation (2004.9.16)
  "Disaster prevention of Kyoto" by Mr. Shuuji Okuyama (Director in Charge of Disaster Prevention and Emergency Management, Kyoto City Fire Department)
  "River and water of Kyoto" by Prof. Hiroji Nakagawa (Ritsumeikan University)
• Presentation to Construction technology exhibition 2004 (2004.7.15-16)
  Panel presentation of the disaster prevention technology of the cultural heritage in Construction technology exhibition 2004 Kinki held in Mydome Osaka.
  
• 8th seminar of Kyoto History Disaster Society (2004.7.15)
  "Traditional flood and subsequent scene" by Prof. Takahiro Sasaki of Kyoto Gakuen Univ.
• 2nd Symposium on Urban Cultural Heritage Disaster Mitigation(2004.6.18)
  "Disaster Mitigation of urban cultural heritage against fire"
  Lectures by Masatake Murahashi (Professor of Ritsumeikan University), Jun Suzuki (Associate Professor of University of Tokyo), Masafumi Yamasaki (Professor of Ritsumeikan University) and Keiichi Ogawa (Lecturer of Ritsumeikan Univ).
  
• 7th seminar of Kyoto History Disaster Society (2004.6.11)
  "River improvement theory of Dutch Engineers in Meiji era" by Yasuo Ito, Prof. Emeritus of Hanazono University.
• 6th seminar of Kyoto History Disaster Society (2004.5.26)
  "Mt. Hiei and Flood of Otowa River in 1972" by Prof. Ikeda of Nara University.
• 21st Century COE Programs in Kansai Area Joint Workshop (2004.5.22)
  Three COE programs in Kansai Area held a joint workshop on natural disaster prevention research. "Disaster Mitigation of Urban Cultural Heritage" of Ritsumeikan University, "Natural Disaster Science and Disaster Reduction" of Disaster Prevention Research Institute Kyoto University and "Design Strategy towards Safety and Symbiosis of Urban Space" of Kobe Univ.
  
• 21st Meeting of Japan Society for Scientific Studies on Cultural Properties (2004.5.15-16)
  Poster presentation at the conference.
  
• Workshop on Policy Science Research (2004.5.9)
  "Issues and problems on public policy and planning on the disaster mitigation for the historical city"
  1) "Earthquake disaster and historical city preservation: With the aim of improvement of local power for disaster prevention" by Dr. Hideki KAJI, professor (Faculty of Policy Management, Keio Gijuku University)
  2) "Earthquake disaster protection management for historical buildings: Actual Conditions of Toukai Region" by Dr. Hitoshi TANIGUCHI (Faculty of Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology)
  3) "Let's create a digital-archives systems for historical cities" by Dr. Fumio YAMAZAKI (Faculty of Engineering, Chiba Univ)
• 5th seminar of Urban Cultural Heritage Disaster Mitigation (2004.5.8)
  "2003 Bamm Earthquake of Iran" by Dr. Junji Kiyono (Assoc. Prof. of Kyoto University).
• 4th seminar of Urban Cultural Heritage Disaster Mitigation (2004.4.17)
  "Information networks for prevention of natural disasters in historical cities"
  Mr. Yuzawa, Mr. Yamamoto and Mr. Shikata of NTT Infranet, and Prof. Makoto Kawai of Faculty of Information Science, Ritsumeikan University.
• 5th seminar of Kyoto History Disaster Society(2004.4.16)
  Itoko Kitahara, Visiting Professor of National Museum of Japanese History, talked about a state of the art on the historical study of natural disasters.
• Okinawa International Forum 2004 - Community Development and Cultural Heritage(2004.3.24-28)
  Prof. Herb Stovel of ICCROM and Prof. Kanefusa Masuda of Ritsumeikan University joined the forum.
• 1st International Workshop on Urban Cultural Heritage Disaster Mitigation (2004.3.23)
  It was held in Suekawa Memorial Hall, Ritsumeikan University. There were the lectures entitled "International perspectives on risk preparedness for cultural heritage" by Herb Stovel, professor of ICCROM (International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property), "World heritage of Kyoto and its risk preparedness" by Kanefusa MASUDA, professor of Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music (chair professor of Ritsuemikan University) and "Activities for protection of cultural heritages from natural disasters in Japan" by Kenzo TOKI, director of Research Center for Disaster Mitigation of Urban Cultural Heritage, Ritsumeikan University.
  
• Workshop on Policy Formulation for Urban Development and Conservation of Historical and Cultural Areas in Kyoto (2004.3.17-28)
  A collaborative workshop between College of Policy Science, Ritsumeikan University and Faculty of Architecture, Thammasat University was held in Ritsumeikan University, and 22 students from Thammasat University and 10 students from Ritsumeikan University joined the workshop. One of the major purposes was to exchange knowledge and skills for disaster mitigation of urban cultural heritage collaborating academic activities with Thailand and Japan.
• 3rd seminar of Urban Cultural Heritage Disaster Mitigation (2004.3.13)
  It was held in Nakagawa Kaikan, Ritsumeikan University and 27 people participated. Akira SANGAWA, chief researcher of National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, gave a lecture entitled "Archaeoseismology around Kyoto basin." There was an explanation about the technique for considering past earthquakes from excavation sites.
• 2nd seminar of Urban Cultural Heritage Disaster Mitigation (2004.2.21)
  It was held in Biwako-Kusatsu Campus, Ritsumeikan University and 32 people participated. First, Ikuo YASUKAWA, fellow of COE promotion organization, Ritsumeikan University gave a lecture entitled "The interplateearthquake and the role of disaster prevention wells " and explained the role of disaster prevention wells through the experience of Hyogo-ken Nanbu earthquake. Next, Takeyuki OKUBO, associate professor of Graduate school of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University (chair professor of Ritsumeikan University), gave a lecture entitled "Environmental water supply system for protection of cultural heritage from earthquake fire." There was an explanation about the technique that defends the cultural heritage from the earthquake fire.
• 3rd seminar of Kyoto History Disaster Society (2004.1.16)
  It was held in the third kyodokenkyukaishitu, Shugakkan, Ritsumeikan University and about 20 people participated. There was a lecture entitled "Geomorphologic environmental change in historic times and the flood disaster of the Kamo River" by Tatsunori KAWASUMI, lecturer of COE promotion organization, Ritsumeikan University.
• 1st seminar of Urban Cultural Heritage Disaster Mitigation (2003.12.20)
  It was held in Nakagawa Kaikan, Ritsumeikan University and 20 people participated. Sumio SAWADA, associate professor of Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, delivered a lecture of "Earthquake motion forecast in Kyoto City region" and explained the earthquake motion forecast based on a new knowledge through the details of 1995 Hyogo-ken Nanbu earthquake. Next, Takeyoshi TANAKA, professor of Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University (chair professor of Ritsumeikan University) gave a lecture entitled "Historical conflagration in Kyoto" and described the situation in which a lot of shrines and temples had been lost due to a fire.
• 2nd seminar of Kyoto History Disaster Society (2003.12.19)
  It was held in the third kyodokenkyukaishitu, Shugakkan, Ritsumeikan University and about 20 people participated. Masaharu MIZUKOSHI, professors emeritus, Mie University, gave a lecture entitled "Weather record collection on every day of historic times."
• Presentation to Construction technology exhibition (2003.11.27-28)
  We made the panel presentation of the disaster prevention technology of the cultural heritage in Construction technology exhibition 2003 Kinki held in Mydome Osaka. It was a huge exhibition and more than 10,000 people visited for the two days.
  
• 1st seminar of Kyoto History Disaster Society (2003.11.21)
  It was held by the participation of about 20 people in Suekawa Memorial Hall, Ritsumeikan University. First, Prof. Kenzo TOKI, director of Research center for disaster mitigation of urban cultural heritage in Ritsumeikan University, gave a lecture entitled "Kotohajime (making a start) for cultural asset disaster prevention." Next, Yoshihiro UEMURA, professor of Faculty of letters, University of Bukkyo, gave a lecture about "Earthquake environment of Kyoto and the progress afterwards."
• 1st Symposium on Urban Cultural Heritage Disaster Mitigation (2003.11.17)
  The symposium was held at Suekawa Memorial Hall, Ritsumeikan University. 132 people attended the symposium.
  
• Visit to Reizei-ke (2003.10.13)
  Our members visited Reizei-ke. A historical house of Reizei-ke (one of the noble family of Japan) has been provided some fire protection system. Chair Professor Reizei explained the history of Reizei-ke, and we inspected the natural disaster reduction system for the historical house.