This research aims to examine the underlying texts in Byobu (folding screens) located outside Japan from an archival studies perspective, focusing on the texts found in the Evora Byobu replica housed in the university’s collection. By archiving both the folding screens sent overseas and the underlying texts within them, this project seeks to generate new insights into the movement of cultural artifacts and the history of international interactions and relationships.
　The Evora Byobu texts are historical documents discovered in the early 20th century in Evora, Portugal, dating to around 1600. These texts include records related to Ai, a close associate of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, as well as documents concerning the spread of Christianity. Additionally, a Namban byobu in the collection of the National Museum of Soares dos Reis in Porto, Portugal, contains approximately 2,000 historical documents within its underlayers, originating from the Hishiya confectionery and dating to the mid-early modern period.
　This study endeavors to decipher these Byobu documents found in Portugal and to create a catalog and digital archive.

Duration: 2020-