Ritsumeikan University Art Research Center and Roland DG Combine to Expand Awareness of Precious Cultural Treasures Using the Power of Digital Technology

Hamamatsu, Japan, May 22, 2025 – Roland DG Corporation, a leading manufacturer of wide-format inkjet printers and printer/cutters worldwide, is excited to announce its collaboration with Ritsumeikan University (Ritsumeikan) which hosts the KINUGASA ART VILLAGE FESTIVAL on June 1st, 2025. Roland DG will produce original stickers from the “Shutendoji-handscroll,” book collected by William Sturgis Bigelow and owned by the Art Research Center (ARC).

KINUGASA ART VILLAGE FESTIVAL is a commemorative event held every year on June 1 by Ritsumeikan, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year under the theme “The day to enjoy Kyoto and art using all five senses.” A variety of performances and hands-on programs will be offered for everyone from children, junior high and high school students to adults.

Roland DG will give away original stickers on site printed by its VersaSTUDIO BN2-20 eco-solvent desktop inkjet printer/cutter which will be designed with each visitor’s face inserted into the portrait of Minamoto no Yorimitsu, drawn in “Shutendoji” which was restored by ARC.

Taichi Nakamura, the project manager for Global Sales & Marketing Division, said, “Ritsumeikan’s desire for more people to enjoy art has the familiar sense of our company mission – ‘bringing new opportunities to society through digital technology.’ We hope that we can help even more people experience the precious cultural assets of Japan through this collaboration.”

The ARC was established in 1998 to conduct research and analysis on human cultural properties such as visual and performing arts and craftmanship, and to record and disseminate results. The Center’s vast digital archives play a major role in promoting joint research with related institutions in Japan and abroad in order to pass on historical cultural properties to future generations.

Ryo Akama, professor at the Graduate School of Letters at Ritsumeikan University said, “By introducing historical pieces that are rarely seen along with unique experiences, we hope to spread the appeal of these works to a wider audience. In April 2026, our university will establish a new College of Design and Art Studies and Graduate School of Design and Art Studies, aiming to create a center for fresh expression through the fusion of art and digital, tradition and innovation. I see new possibilities in this collaboration with Roland DG.”

Creating new ways of exhibiting and enjoying art, Roland DG will continue to provide people around the world with the joy of creation and excitement. We hope you will take this opportunity to visit the event and enjoy the appeal of the “Shutendoji” handscroll to the fullest.

Event Overview

Event name	KINUGASA ART VILLAGE FESTIVAL
Dates	June 1st, 2025
Opening hours	10AM – 5PM
Site	Ritsumeikan University, Kinugasa Campus and around the Kinugasa, Kyoto area
Inquiry	Community Relations Division, Kinugasa Campus, Ritsumeikan University Kinugasa Campus 075-465-8149 E-Mail：kinufes@st.ritsumei.ac.jp
Official web site	https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/kinugasaartfes/

About Ritsumeikan University Art Research Center (ARC)
The Art Research Center was established in 1998 as an attached institute of Ritsumeikan University to conduct historical and social research and analyses of both tangible and intangible human cultural properties such as visual and performing arts and craftsmanship, and to record, organize, preserve, and disseminate the results. Since its establishment in 1998, the center has brought together the wisdom of researchers from different fields on the premise of integration and collaboration between the humanities and information sciences to the Japanese representative Center of excellence for digital humanities (DH). In order to elevate and effectively utilize the vast amount of digitized data on tangible and intangible Japanese cultural resources, the techniques required, and the networking with people at related organizations in and outside of Japan that they have acquired through their research efforts and educational activities, the Center applied to the MEXT to be accredited as a Joint Usage / Research Center, and was designated a Digital Archive Research Center for Japanese Cultural Resources. Since 2019, the Center has assumed and strived to fulfill its role as the International Joint Digital Archiving Center for Japanese Art & Culture (ARC-iJAC) upon being accredited by the MEXT as an International Joint Usage / Research Center.
Official HP: https://www.arc.ritsumei.ac.jp/

For more information, contact:

Roland DG Corporation
ESG & PR/IR Unit
+81 (0)53-484-1200
E-Mail：rdg-pr@rolanddg.co.jp