Cambridge University – Kumamoto University – Eisei Bunko Joint Workshop on Japanese Historical Sources & Cultural Resources 2026

This joint workshop serves as a "kick-off" to explore a new research and educational partnership between the University of Cambridge and Kumamoto University.

The event focuses on the prestigious Eisei Bunko (Hosokawa Family) Collection, which gained significant international attention in March 2025 following the national designation of 9,346 items as Important Cultural Properties.

Scholars from both institutions will discuss the frontiers of Japanese history and methodologies for the preservation, public access, and utilization of cultural resources. They will also introduce the dramatic advancement of research enabled by the AI-OCR technology "Fuminoha" used for archival decoding. Through this dialogue, we aim to broaden the scope of Japanese studies in the UK and foster the next generation of researchers.

Program

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13.30 - Opening Remarks - English

Prof. Masato Miyake

Vice President, Kumamoto University

13:35 - Research Presentation I: Why Japanese History Matters outside Japan - English

Prof. Mikael S. Adolphson

Keidanren Professor and Chair, Japanese Studies FAMES, University of Cambridge

14:05 - Presentation: History of the Collection & UK Connections - Japanese

Mr. Morimitsu Hosokawa

President, The Eisei Bunko Foundation

14:35 - Research Presentation II: AI-OCR 'Fuminoha' & Regional Daimyo History - Japanese

Prof. Tsuguharu Inaba

Director, Eisei Bunko Research Center, Kumamoto University

15:05 - Coffee Break

15:20 - Research Presentation III: Early 17th-C. Wine Production in Japan - Japanese

Ms. Noriko Goto

Special Researcher, Kumamoto University

15:50 - Discussion / Q&A — Research Methodologies & Future Cooperation - Japanese/English

Moderator: Dr. Andrew FischerAffiliated Researcher, Cambridge University

16:40 - Social / Consultation Session / Networking - Japanese / English

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Please note that Japanese presentation sessions will be accompanied by partial English supplementary materials

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ORGANISERS

Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Cambridge ・

Eisei Bunko Research Center, Kumamoto University ・The Eisei Bunko Foundation

Supported by: JSPS London ・Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation