The mission of the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures is to promote world class research and be a leader in the study of Japanese arts and cultures from the past to the present. - Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures

Research projects

Research is at the heart of the Institute’s mission to promote knowledge and understanding of Japanese arts and cultures. The Institute promotes world-class research through active collaboration with both national and international partners, bringing together scholars from around the world to explore these key areas:

Archaeology and heritage

Art and cultural resources

Contemporary visual cultures

Digital Japan

Featured research projects:

The Lisa Sainsbury Library

The Lisa Sainsbury Library collects a wide range of materials for academic research on Japanese art history, visual arts, and cultural heritage throughout the Japanese archipelago, spanning the Jomon period to the present. These materials are also open to those who wish to use them for their research purposes and are available free of charge. Find out more about the library collections and treasures, how to visit the library and our digital archives.