Rate My Professor Setsuo Imazu

Setsuo Imazu is President and Professor in the Faculty of Letters, Department of Study of Cultural Properties at Nara University, a position he has held since April 2022, following his tenure as Dean of the Faculty from April 2019 to March 2022 and Professor from April 2016 to March 2019. His distinguished career includes serving as Section Chief in the Museum Science Section at Kyushu National Museum from March 2005 to March 2016, Chief Researcher in the Materials Room at Nara Prefecture Kashihara Archaeological Research Institute from April 1989 to February 2005, and Researcher at Fukushima Prefectural Museum from April 1985 to June 1989. Imazu obtained his Ph.D. in Science from Kyoto Institute of Technology in November 1994. His earlier education encompasses graduate studies in the doctoral course majoring in history at Aoyama Gakuin University Graduate School from April 1982 to March 1985, undergraduate studies in the Faculty of Letters, Department of History at Aoyama Gakuin University from April 1980 to March 1983, and studies in the Faculty of Economics, Department of Commerce at Komazawa University from April 1978 to March 1980.

Specializing in cultural properties science and conservation science, Imazu researches the application of science and technology to cultural heritage preservation, including non-destructive X-ray computed tomography for internal structural analysis, health diagnostics, and 3D digital replicas of artifacts; development of trehalose impregnation methods for conserving waterlogged wood, lacquerware, and wood-iron composites from harsh Asian environments; and sulfur, mercury, lead isotope analyses to trace ancient vermilion sources in Kofun period tombs. He has led multiple Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research projects, such as innovative technologies for sunken ship conservation and display, establishment of X-ray CT-based research bases, and international collaborations on Mongolian, Thai, and Takashima underwater sites. Notable publications include 'Identification of source mine using sulfur, mercury, and lead isotope analyses of vermilion used in three representative tombs from Kofun period in Japan' (Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2021), 'X-ray tomographic analysis of the initial structure of the royal chamber and the nest-founding behavior of the drywood termite' (Journal of Wood Science, 2014), 'Non-destructive internal investigation of Ainu hunting quiver' (Nara University Bulletin, 2024), and contributions to 'Studies on Shoso-in Treasures: Mother-of-pearl Sandalwood Five-String Biwa' (2022) and 'Sakurai Oyamayama Kofun no Kenkyu' (2024). His contributions have earned awards including the Science and Technology Award from the Sugar Weathering Technology Promotion Foundation (2024), Cultural Award from Nara Shimbun (2022), and Society Awards from the Cultural Property Conservation and Restoration Society (2018, 2007). Imazu holds leadership roles such as President of the Japan Society for Cultural Property Science since 2022 and member of the Cultural Affairs Agency's Underwater Archaeological Site Survey Review Committee.