Type of Research Fundamental Research
Research Title The Production, Preservation, and Sharing of Films as Resources for Historical and Ethnological Studies and Development of Rekihaku-based Platform
Head of the Research Team Assoc. Prof. UCHIDA Junko
Research Period FY2016-2018
Purpose With the view of films as effective tools for recording, analyzing, and examining history and ethnology of the Japanese archipelago, this research project aims to produce films in collaboration with the related institutions, and advance studies of regional cultures. In addition, the project sets out to develop Rekihaku-based platform with the goal to contribute towards collaborative access and use.
Result The production of films was positioned as a means to record, analyze, and examine the history and ethnology of the Japanese archipelago, and the results obtained from field studies using films were provided to the study region followed by new research topics suggested by individuals in the region. The three-year long cross-interactive research resulted in the promotion of participatory projects and creation of three academic films produced in Japanese and English, namely, (1) The Life and Items in Kesennuma, A Tsunami-hit Area (63 minutes) by Shigeru Hayama; (2-1) Nigoana: Where Do These Waters Flow? (19 minutes) and (2-2) The Past, Present and Future of People Intertwined with Water and Rice (38 minutes) by Masaru Nishitani, Riko Shimadate, and Junko Uchida; and (3) Voices of Karamushi (92 minutes) by Daisuke Bundo. The films were screened at the Rekihaku Film Forum, research and education institutions such as universities and museums, and study sessions for citizens. A system for shared use of academic films produced by the Rekihaku since 1988 was created and a new film archive research resource was established.