Dazu Rock Carvings Research Institute, Fudan University, and Japanese Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties signed an agreement for China-Japan cooperation to protect Dazu Rock Carvings at Chongqing's Dazu District and Japan's Nara synchronously via a video link recently.

As per the agreement, China and Japan will cooperate in multiple aspects based on the specific research object of cliff statues at Fengshan Temple of Dazu Rock Carvings. Among them are environmental monitoring, on-site investigation and indoor experiment related to conservation status evaluation, mechanism research on weathering diseases, research on materials for restoration and protection, laboratory construction, talent training and exchange, and international academic conference. By doing so, China and Japan hope to provide research achievements that can be used as a valuable reference point for protecting stone cultural relics, including Dazu Rock Carvings.

Statues in Dazu Rock Carvings. (iChongqing file photo)

As the only world cultural heritage site in Chongqing, Dazu Rock Carvings represent the highest level of grotto art in the world from the 9th to the 13th centuries and the last monument of grotto art in humans history. Based on several decades of protection practice, Dazu Rock Carvings have developed a unique protection model that "highlights Chongqing's unique characteristics and plays an exemplary role in Dazu District's heritage conservation." But there still lurk some risks caused by flooding and weathering that may threaten heritage security.

Dazu Nanshan Rock Carvings. (iChongqing file photo)

As the specific research object of the agreement, the cliff statues at Fengshan Temple of Dazu Rock Carvings were built during the Southern Song Dynasty. In total, there are 13 niches and 50-odd statues, including Gautama Buddha and Bodhisattva Manjushri, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, Bhaisajyaguru, Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva, as well as a group of ten Aryavalokitesvara statues, a group of two Avalokitesvara statues, Three Great Emperor-Officials, Holy Mother, and Numinous Official. In terms of either historical characteristics, artistic value, or conservation status, the cliff statues can be representative of Dazu Rock Carvings. However, they are also severely weathered with damaged colored patterns and prominent bioerosion phenomena, which also represent grotto protection research.

This cooperation will combine the strengths of both sides. Nara National Cultural Properties Research Institute was founded in 1952. As a branch of the Independent Administrative Institution, it is a national organization committed to comprehensive research on a wealth of ancient architecture and historical works of art in the ancient city of Nara. It has made remarkable achievements in cultural heritage protection and application and conducted fruitful cooperation with Dunhuang Academy China, Qiuci Research Institute in Xinjiang, Institute of Archaeology of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and other Chinese research institutions. Fudan University's College of Cultural Heritage and Museology is one of China's earliest and most influential higher education institutions committed to teaching and researching cultural heritage and museology. It has formed a discipline development system integrating archaeology, cultural heritage, and museology.

Dazu Beishan Rock Carvings. (iChongqing file photo)