Scientific study on the 19th museum objects of Toyota Collection

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Many technical and scientific objects of Toyota Collection and related museum collections from 17th to 20th centuries in Japan such as optics, medical tools, metrical tools, toys, clocks, guns, etc., were examined by X-ray radiography and by X-ray fluorescent analysis (XRF). We used a kind of digital X-ray radiography, Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR). The FCR uses an imaging plate coated with fluorescent material instead of an X-ray film. Since FCR gives a fine and clear image for an object with various thickness because of a wide dynamic range of the imaging plate, the results revealed the structures and mechanisms of various objects very clearly. We also analyzed many pigments collected by Lord Nabeshima at the end of Edo period (middle of 19th century) by XRF. The analysis showed some imported pigments from abroad only after Edo period are included in his collection. This result is important for the chronology of polychromy in Japan.