The Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures was founded in 1999 through the generosity of Sir Robert and Lady Sainsbury. Its mission is to promote the study of material and visual cultures of the Japanese archipelago and, in doing so, to act a catalyst for international research in the field.

The Institute's objectives are to continue the development of the Lisa Sainsbury Library as a premier library resource for Japanese arts, cultures and archaeology, to engage international scholars in collaboration and active research networks, and to disseminate the results through publications and research.

An independent charity, the Sainsbury Institute is affiliated with the University of East Anglia (UEA) in association with the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London (SOAS) and The British Museum.

+ UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA (UEA)
UEA in Norwich has long fostered an innovative approach to the history of art through the activities of its School of World Art Studies and Museology. It is the home of the Sainsbury Research Unit, which focuses on postgraduate study of Oceania, Africa and the Americas. UEA also forms the base of the Sainsbury Institute's activities. The Sainsbury Institute's permanent home in Norwich is in the Cathedral Close. Sir Robert and Lady Sainsbury have built up a superb collection of art over 60 years, including many fine Japanese works from the Jomon to contemporary periods. The Sainsburys have donated their entire collection to UEA. Sir Norman Foster, now Lord Foster, designed the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, which opened in 1978 and was expanded in 1991.

+ SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL AND AFRICAN STUDIES (SOAS)
Since its formation in 1916, the School of Oriental and African Studies - or SOAS as it's better known - has built an enviable reputation around the globe for the calibre and quality of its courses, teaching and research. Part of the University of London, and located in the heart of the capital, SOAS continues to enhance its position as the world's leading centre for the study of a highly diverse range of subjects concerned with Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Some 20 full-time Japanese specialists at SOAS offer a wide range of courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The University has Europe's most comprehensive library on Japanese subjects and is designated the National Library for Asian and African studies. The London base of the Sainsbury Institute is in the SOAS Brunei Gallery.

+ THE BRITISH MUSEUM
The British Museum was founded in 1753 to promote universal understanding through the arts, natural history and science in a public museum. Housed in one of Britain's architectural landmarks, the collection is one of the finest in existence. Following from an official collaborative agreement between the British Museum and the Sainsbury Institute, our Development and Projects Manager, Hiromi Uchida, has been seconded to the Japanese section of the museum. Hiromi works mainly in education and outreach for the section, including a new collaboration with the Embassy of Japan.