2013.10.08 Cooperation on repairing the pearl inlay doors between Rajapradit temple and Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (TNRICP)

16/10/2013

On 8 October 2013, Ambassador Thanatip Upatising with his spouse and the officials witnessed the signing of Memorandum of Cooperation between Rajapradit temple and Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (TNRICP) on repairing the pearl inlay doors of the main hall of the temple, and the handing-over ceremony of 2 pieces of the pearl inlay doors from the monks of the said temple led by Phrakruwinaithorn Arayapong Chengchareon.

The decoration on the doors was drawn in Japanese style and was decorated with the pearl inlay, which had been made by craftsman in Nagasaki. Rama 4^th had bought them from Japan to decorate the inside doors and windows in the temple. The age of the pearl inlay doors is about 150 years with rare artistic and historical value, as most of similar doors kept in Japan were destroyed during the World War II. Nowadays, there remain over 100 pieces of the pearl inlay doors at Rajapradit temple, which are mostly damaged and cannot be repaired by craftsman in Thailand.

The delivery of the doors is aimed at studying the condition of the doors and finding methods to repair them on a trial basis. The study will end in March 2014 and after that, the TNRICP will provide the repair methods to specialists of the Department of Fine Arts to continue restoration work.

In the morning of the same day, the Ambassador organised a meal for the monks at the residence.