ベトナム、カンボジア、ミャンマーの森林や工房で採取された東南アジアの漆の化学的分析 [Southeast Asian Lacquers...] By Hanna Szczepanowska

In this eighth webinar in our "Tuesday mornings in Tokyo" series of Smithsonian-Meiji University webinars, Dr. Hanna Szczepanowska (West Virginia University) speaks about " The chemical analysis of Southeast Asian lacquers collected from forests and workshops in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar" (ベトナム、カンボジア、ミャンマーの森林や工房で採取された東南アジアの漆の化学的分析). Series co-hosted by Dr. Paul Michael Taylor (Smithsonian, Asian Cultural History Program) and Dr. Toru Yamada (Meiji University), with generous support from the U.S. Embassy, Tokyo. In English with Japanese subtitles. First broadcast from Tokyo, June 15, 2021, 10 a.m. After opening remarks from Meiji University and a live sequentially translated Introduction of the speaker by Paul Taylor (Smithsonian), not included here, the video shows Dr. Szczepanowska’s opening remarks followed by her pre-recorded presentation with Japanese subtitles, then her live sequentially translated discussion and Q&A with participants, moderated by Toru Yamada (Meiji University). Viewers may cite this webinar by its title, author, and URL, and presentation/broadcast date June 15, 2021.
Abstract in Japanese (English below): 漆は何世紀にもわたって、東南アジア全域で実用品、装飾品、儀礼用の道具に使用されてきた。本研究では、まず、ベトナム、カンボジア、そして、ミャンマーにおける漆の採集方法と工房での使用方法を記録した。また、研究対象である森林や工房での観察結果と、フーリエ変換赤外分光法（FTIR）、熱分解ガスクロマトグラフィー／質量分析法（Py-GC-MS）、走査型電子顕微鏡-エネルギー分散型X線分光法（SEM-EDS）を用いた漆の分析結果を組合わせ分析した。ベトナムのアンナンウルシ（Toxicodendron succedanea）からのラッコール（laccol）、ミャンマーのブラックツリー（Gluta usitata）とカンボジアのカンボジアウルシ（Gluta laccifera）からのチチオール（thitsiol）など、3種の異なる樹種からの漆を同定した。また、いくつかの有機および無機の添加物も特徴づけらた。本研究の目的は、東南アジアにおける漆の調達と加工方法の地域的な違いについての知識に貢献することである。
Abstract in English: “The chemical analysis of Southeast Asian lacquers collected from forests and workshops in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar”: For centuries lacquer has been used for utilitarian, decorative, and ceremonial objects throughout Southeast Asia and beyond. In this presentation, the current harvesting methods and workshop uses of lacquer in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar are documented. This webinar presents observations from known forest and workshops, along with analytical characterization results of the lacquers using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS), and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Lacquers from three different tree species were identified, characterized and composition was identified: laccol in Toxicodendron succedanea in Vietnam, thitsiol from Gluta usitata (Myanmar), and Gluta laccifera (Cambodia). Additionally, several organic and inorganic additives were characterized. The aim of this work was to contribute to the knowledge of regional differences in lacquer sourcing and working methods, in the Southeast Asia countries with long lacquer working traditions which remain relatively little known.
Bio: Dr. Hanna Szczepanowska is a material scientist specialized in analysis of cultural heritage material. Currently she is a professor at West Virginia University teaching a course in Technical Art History. She is also a Physical Scientist at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Washington DC. During her 4-year contract in Singapore she established at Singapore’s National Heritage Board a research laboratory and analytical research program for the collection of Southeast Asian artifacts. She had previously worked for 14 years at the Smithsonian Institution, and was also an adjunct professor at George Washington University, Washington DC. Hanna has a Masters degree in conservation from the University of Nicolaus Copernicus in Torun, Poland, and PhD from the University of Lyon, France, in material science. She authored a handbook, Conservation of Cultural Heritage: Key Principles and Approaches, Routledge 2012.