Conservation: Japanese Palanquin

Follow V&A Conservators as they treat an elaborately decorated Japanese palanquin in our collection. Known as a ‘norimono’ in Japanese, meaning ‘thing to ride’, this box-like enclosed chair would have carried a bride of high social-rank to the groom’s home after their wedding. Conservation work included stabilising areas of lifting laquer on the surface decoration, which had been beautifully created using the ‘maki-e’ technique, meaning ‘sprinkled picture’. Now fully restored, the palanquin is on display in the V&A’s Toshiba Gallery of Japanese Art, for the first time in many years.
Find out more: www.vam.ac.uk/info/conservation

[@futasupastah]

I for one am simply amazed that a full grown adult woman was expected to fit in there, granted she was kneeling, but still!

[@mayelinesantana]

Japanese people and people in general where shorter back in the day. I am a full grown adult yet am the size of an american child. Anyone under 5'5 could probably fit in there comfortably.

[@OddLeah]

I saw an exhibit with samurai armour and a Japanese palanquin. As a 5'2" woman, I would not have fit. In general, people were of far smaller stature hundreds of years ago.

[@missprettyschannel]

Petite ladies could only fit perhaps.

[@bellarose1562]

People were smaller back then. My parents were into antiques and when you come across furniture from the 50s it’s all much smaller. Idk what happened to genetics now a days hah.

[@deepalil1085]

Younger girls were married off. 13 , 14, 15 years old girls with fit.

[@censusgary]

It’s a shame this beautiful piece is stuck in a back corner of a display case, instead of out where museum patrons can walk around it and see all sides of it and look inside.

[@scarletpimpernelagain9124]

Gary Cooper yes.

[@cutienerdgirl]

I agree with your opinion. Only 2-D art should be right up against a wall.

[@NasikaSakura]

Agreed as well, or at least in an island display case. Fact is that lacor stains with finger oils and must be soon after wiped with a non-abrasive cloth (like silk) to clean it. What more, moisture can damage and stain it as well, so I'd be cautious of people sneezing I. The vicinity or breathing heavy hot air nearby. I can completely understand keeping it behind glass because of this, but certainly an island display would be best if the space allows it.

[@MissMichSan]

I agree wish it was in a glass display to walk around it not just on one side.

[@rebeccamoore1268]

I would have like to see in better detail the inside walls. It looks like it would be almost impossible to see inside as it sets in the display. If I were head of the project I would have included images of the inside in the display case. But overall amazing job and thank you for sharing the short video.

[@restezlameme]

Museum-quality conservation seems like the most amazing career! I'd love to know what it's like to work for the V&A doing amazing things like this.

[@user-ih6vs3eg3o]

I thinking of doing an apprenticeship there it looks so interesting

[@thegrandreview5949]

I have weightlifter friends who sometimes go out at dawn with iron weights strapped on in a specific harness to the task. I was going to suggest they carry my Brobdingnagian being around in a palanquin, and perhaps take me vegetable shopping through the 9th Street Market. To that end, I looked up palanquin again before writing them, and here you are. What a wonderful restoration, and a beautiful invitation by you and your team to dive into that world. Thank you!

[@sarahlilliancullen]

I'm Irish and the decoration reminds me of the shamrock motifs on old lamp posts and in art here

[@cecilyerker]

Japan and Ireland have some interesting cultural things in common that you might not expect.

[@maple9670]

@@cecilyerker Mhm

[@daniellebrothers3688]

What a beautiful legacy to not only the Artisans who first created it, but to your Team of Conservatores! To intimately clean, redress and repair it would be an honor, I envy such patience, steady hands and (I'm sure) a lifetime of training and practice. Well done! V & A Museum posts are always a pleasure to watch.

[@paustinheaton]

What a beautiful piece of history. Fascinating video. Thank you.

[@truthfulkarl]

that MUST have been made for a marriage alliance of great importance

[@bethroesch2156]

An art restorer is the perfect balance of artist and scientist ♥️

[@nanamiharuka3269]

it amazing how many people are needed to work on one piece! paper conservators, furniture conservators, metal conservators

[@olgairissostrecruz1498]

I thank all that Work in the museum of London for all the hard work you put in for us to learn and be amazed. Thank you and bless you all 😃👍❤️☕

[@ladym4209]

I would really enjoy a longer video and see each step of the conservation.

[@valeerie6423]

This video is wonderful and I'm glad that it was restored to be put in a museum. The cart is beautifully detailed and the Palanquin is very interesting 👍

[@charlie25081]

Too sad it is displayed in a corner, this pieces is magnificent.

[@eugenio5774]

there's a very similar palanquin at the Museum of Oriental art in Venice. It's absolutely stunning!

[@christianfrommuslim]

Interesting how the family crests are hidden in plain sight, until you learn to recognize them. Their emphasis on simplicity and decorative balance distinguishes them from European crests.

[@peachdoesart7175]

It reminds me of little doll boxes you buy barbies in.

[@kekedarius4957]

This comment section is full of know-it-alls. You'd start to believe that the VA has completely employed the wrong staff for all departments, including the ones that make this video. I am sure they are looking forward to your applications. BTW I am obviously not referencing the people who are just highlighting or correcting a slight issue. We all know the types I do mean. The die-hard amateurs who are more passionate about objecting and criticising others rather than actually making something of the subject.

[@kevinchambers1101]

Oh yes, you are so superior, why don't you tell us more about it.

[@E-Kat]

Breathtakingly beautiful!

[@hzhang719]

If this Palanquin was from Edo period, which ended in 1868, and Pluto was discovered in 1930 - how could the Hosokawa clan crest represent the 9 planets?

[@theonlyelena]

I'd assume the center circle represents the sun and the smaller ones represent the 8 known planets at the time

[@saumyapathak5865]

Well it was "scientifically discovered" in 1930. Manu accident civilizations know about these married of universe earlier . In our ancient Indian vedic text we get reference of nine plants call "nav grah".

[@Kizron_Kizronson]

@@saumyapathak5865 Navagraha includes the sun and for some bizarre reason includes the moon 3 times. So about the same as any other ancient culture.

[@wickandde]

@@Kizron_Kizronson In ancient Vedic astrology, Earth, Uranus and Neptune are excluded. Rahu and Ketu are not extra moons per say, they are not planets in the traditional sense, they are nodes of the moon or "shadow planets", ying and yang of the karmic cycle in each life that sit directly opposite in every persons birth chart depending on time and location of birth, and each subsequent human birth on thid plane of existence they move through the 12 planetary houses. (I think). I find it quite facinating.

[@Kizron_Kizronson]

@@wickandde Thanks for the information. It does kind of highlight the point I was making in reply to a previous post. The guy was claiming that Vedic Astrology was proof of secret ancient Astronomical knowledge of the solar system.

[@piedwagtailrameau]

Beautiful and mesmerising

[@joannagan8867]

i guess im the only one who read it as "conversation". i was like: huh? conversation with a Japanese palaquin ?

[@missylang998]

At 2:44 when they raised the volume of the music, I weirdly started to sing in my head, “black and yellow, black and yellow, black and yellow....” 🤣🤣🤣🤣 and I realized I was singing along with the music 💀🤣 ....WAIT! Why did they put the palanquin in the side glass wall?!? That’s takes away the whole beauty of looking at each side! Who cares if it has the same design on each side. It doesn’t feel so majestic looking at it in one or three angles. If it were me, I would put it in a four glass stand, so people could walk around it.

[@Liam-zg2ip]

I am incredibly confused by the existence of this comment

[@ChippiChippiChappaChappaCat]

Reading this comment made me feel like I was tripping. Bruh you good?

[@milili27]

lol! This is so random, but funny.

[@9sheri9]

This is truly incredible - both the piece as well as the conservation of the piece. 💕👏

[@aaronwilliam7110]

How delicate!

[@vwilliams8196]

I can't believe they actually fit people into that little thing.

[@elitesflowers-floristshop.3616]

Amazing piece of history and art. Thanks for sharing this information.

[@barryjacobs8524]

What a beautiful treasure. Amazing.

[@3v317]

I love V&A.

[@mjc.bughao7441]

Wow after all that years , it's still preserve well. Also Happy Valentine's Day Y'all 🌹😂💕

[@harima1180]

Watching it made me remember a part in drama 'Atsuhime'.

[@rsoubiea]

Stunning artifact. ❤️

[@infallibleblue]

Amazing work and care!

[@josephmessner5312]

Wow! Beautiful work on this piece!

[@mandocool]

Fascinating!

[@robertschlesinger1342]

Beautiful palanquin. Interesting how much conservation work went into restoring the palanquin.

[@kazbushwell]

Great work ⭐️

[@niellahell]

Very elaborate proccess

[@monkeygraborange]

What a magnificent job by so many unsung experts!

[@louiscartierfollett4811]

Qué momentos tan tan tan sencillamente únicos de trabajar hasta tocar el verdadero sentimiento interior 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖. Qué delicado y hermosooo trabajo. Objetos únicos y transcendente !!! Gracias gracias por la oportunidad de observar y mirar ésas bellezas !.

[@miamitreasurehunter]

Very nice presentation.

[@jumellesdarling7551]

I thought this video was going to be about keeping the tradition alive of transporting a japanese bride to her husband's home in a palanquin even today. I thought that real lady in the thumbnail at first haha. But this was still interesting lol

[@o.aldenproductions.9858]

Human gift box 📦....those were the days, my friend 🎶🎵

[@juancateigueluribe]

Beatiful, beatiful, los felicito .dicen que la identidad de un pueblo o un país ,vive gracias a la conservación de los objetos patrimoniales y obviamente a personas como ustedes que la conservan viva! Gracias por el vídeo, saludos desde Chiloé chile

[@annecohen8927]

So elegant! I’m so upset to hear of this anti Asian attitude while ignoring the truly rich Asian history and heritage. Especially this gorgeous Japanese work of art being preserved for others to observe and learn.

[@hundimzug]

If I was present at the display site I would love to see the palanquin at eye level. I wonder, also, if there were cushions inside the carriage.

[@bridgetdavis9752]

Bravo! 👏

[@billprudehome9304]

I would have liked to watch more detail of the conservation effort.

[@lflint3278]

The original Lexus!

[@obeythefluff07]

Oh! I have seen this in the MET museum. It was beautiful!

[@loszhor]

Classy!~

[@Max_Flashheart]

Great work and I am interested to know if you have a go to safe cleaning/wash for lacquer, gold work and metal items?

[@E-Kat]

It was evident from the film that it took ages to do that, so yes I think.

[@MrMinermation]

Interesting they claim this is called a 乗り物 and that this means 'thing to ride'. That means vehicle, though literally... yes 'thing to ride'. If anyone was wondering what a palanquin actually is in Japanese, it seems to be 駕籠.

[@stralbem]

The Japanese seem to really like putting gold on lacquer

[@toyatsymonds9324]

Hair nets and hazmat suits are most appropriate for preservation decontamination best practices.

[@clairvoyant1290]

Palanquin...I clicked for information on a creepy pale mannequin. But this is also interesting!

[@toyatsymonds9324]

Dana Milker, conservation lead, must apply intelligent conservation procedures when housing ancient international artifacts.

[@vintagedidi]

My delicate beefy frame would have a hard time fitting in there. 😂😂😂

[@KUMAKURA]

Hearing this woman pronounce palanquin wrong in such a professionally shot video is driving me batty lmao

[@meltarin5203]

I’d require some wheels on my box just in case I didn’t approve of my match I’d roll myself out of there lol

[@examichelle]

I find this video particularly relaxing. I love unintentional ASMR.

[@egrace3738]

The narrative must include why certain conservation methods are chosen. See Baumgartner videos

[@nhanat]

i think the occupant didn't look comfortable riding it, so cramped..

[@watercolourferns]

@belinda hawkins It's still quite cramped inside of those things. Even for a petite person, including the whole bridal attire? There's not enough space in those places...

[@ememmeme8722]

She didn't need a large space. Her only purpose is to petri dish a sperm and turn it into another samurai. After that, she can be discarded.

[@sksksk859]

reeglyson escabal woah there

[@dylanchouinard6141]

belinda hawkins actually, many Samurai wives, mothers, sisters and daughters were given training to become Onna-Bugeisha (Woman Martial Artists) to protect their homes and families. They were not just some early modern Handmaid’s

[@MsAngelique]

@@ememmeme8722 Your typical samurai's wife might not always be loved, but she was usually respected. And in traditional Japanese culture in general, the wives controlled the budget. That meant when the husband brings home money, she decides how much spending money he gets.

[@liliyakamala2348]

How old was this palanquin? Very intriguing with the two family seals showing who the bride was.

[@Charles-fm6sx]

哇，好漂亮，家紋是德川家的吧……

[@davioncournoyer3077]

How do you get in it? Just crawl in?

[@mikebeatstsb7030]

Wow 🙆🏽‍♂️

[@blucie9768]

At first glance I thought this was an automaton

[@crixxxxxxxxx]

It’s like a really fancy animal crate.

[@rsmith6366]

Or a tiny carriage.

[@clobberelladoesntreadcomme9920]

oh don't be ridiculous, she wasn't expected to live in there, it was a conveyance, and a human powered one at that. The lighter it was the easier for the palaquin bearers to carry.

[@laurakramer4888]

Incredibly interesting, but you'd think they'd at least try to pronounce things correctly

[@giovannimoquete3088]

HONESTLY

[@moonrox4481]

Lol I was thinking that too

[@imhere1303]

Eeeeeeedough Periooooooood

[@lexiirrose1655]

The way she pronounces palanquin hurts my soul

[@LedWolf7]

3:09 You missed a spot...

[@danielbourne8189]

A gilded cage

[@amiematthews6469]

The Edo period consists of over 250 years I believe, so do we know the approximate year this piece was made?

[@poponachtschnecke]

I'm really bothered that the metal bits on the outside were cleaned inconsistently. Some of them are lustrous, and some of them look ignored.

[@lutzderlurch7877]

maybe I missed it, but did they indicate the century this object originated?

[@Jm96RoCk]

SOMEONE PLEASE MAKE A MODERN VERSION OF ONE AND LET ME RIDE IN ITTTT

[@ichigoapanchal9935]

So when will they return the artifact to Japan

[@LadyoftheDreamless14]

This is absolutely stunning and its so incredible its on display, but... HOLY GOD ALMIGHTY THE BRIDE IS TERRIFYING AND IM SCARED.

[@abisolakpopfan8209]

My knees will fucking kill me

[@ppsama1]

non english speaker me who don't know the word palanquin thought that palanquin is the doll when i saw the trumbnail -_-

[@John-oc1sr]

Imagine pulling up to school in a that

[@justsomeone931]

It's pronounced PAL-IN-KEEN

[@rsmith6366]

Once a word enters the English language it abides by English pronunciation.

[@surgeusb]

thank you Connie

[@DrDingsGaster]

Thank you- I was looking for this comment.

[@aslj1179]

They also mispronounced Edo (Ett-toe)

[@crewmatewillthrowthesehand7600]

@@rsmith6366 so rough cough trough through thorough bough are the same pronunciation? Pal-in-keen is the correct english pronunciation

[@errrno1761]

Hermione: It's _/eh-doh/_ not _/eee-doh/_

[@pheart2381]

Its tiny! I wonder how much sorrow has been felt in that little ornate box?

[@georgemotilla-barroga3086]

Hoped they would have conserved the figure inside too though... The discoloration and the messed coif... But moreso a better wardrobe. But then again it may have been due that the figure could overshadow the whole palanquin

[@rsmith6366]

They also have to work within certain guidelines. They were given the money and the time to conserve the furniture of the piece only.

[@persomnus]

The kimono looked really dirty and dingy...

[@mutestingray]

A pangolin? Nuh-uh, I don’t mess with them. Not after last year…

[@ahzzz-realm]

Yeah, but the sound system...

[@craig3287]

How did it get to Britain?

[@L0rdOfThePies]

Magic

[@pendingauthor2536]

It’s kind of scary. Maybe just to me..

[@katwil89]

It would be interesting to know how old this piece is. Did I miss it?

[@katwil89]

@belinda hawkins Ok, thank you. I certainly don't know what Edo period is, but I'll look it up.

[@katwil89]

1603 to 1868.

[@adamschilling7140]

How old is the item? When did Hosakawa gain the crest of the nine planets? How would they have known about 9 Planets in medieval Japan?

[@davidjacobs8558]

I think they just made that part up. It probably had completely different meaning.

[@lolpandukai]

Edo period is not medieval, it's 1603-1868. I googled a bit on the mon, and I think this particular kamon (crest) shape could be Hindu in origin, and came to Japan as an idea through Heian Buddhism, cf. ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%B9%9D%E6%9B%9C#%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E3%81%B8%E3%81%AE%E5%BD%B1%E9%9F%BF.

[@jjramsiaram]

Pah-lehn-KEEN not pah-lehn-QUEEN

[@HolyGaia]

Nine circles to represent the planets?... When is this from?

[@prazzlerazzle5565]

The sun and moon were considered planets by many cultures So 2 plus the 7 planets we in know that are visible to the human eye

[@tatiana2133]

Thumbnail: Woman: oh. What the fuck? They drew us being raped by octopi?

[@YouDontKnowAsMuchAsYouThinkUDo]

What is a palanquin? All I can think of is...it's a wedding cage like in Borat.

[@alaskacosplay]

A palanquin! Someone get The Great Diamond Authority!

[@aquaabouttogetfunky]

👌😂

[@coolcat3404]

Finally i found a refrence!

[@paralysleeps]

I see you're a Steven Universe fan as well

[@passerby883]

Looks like that occupant could be possessed

[@tartiniyang4559]

裡面坐的也太嚇人了

[@aaaaaa-dr9ye]

駕籠に 48-74 とあるのは管理番号か何か？ちょっと無粋だな…