Tomomi Murakami

Education:

2013 Ph.D., Cultural Properties and Archival Science, Nara University
2007 M.A., Cultural Properties and Archival Science, Nara University
2003 B.A., Study of Cultural Properties, Tokushima Bunri University

Field of Study:

I am interested in the research of cultural exchanges that took place on the Silk Road. This study was initiated as I was curious to find out where the beautiful artifacts that arrived to ancient Japan were made.
So far, I have studied three main themes of the period from the Han (206 BC–8 AD, 25–220 AD) to the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD).
The first theme covers Silk Road textiles. To clarify where the textiles imported to Japan came from, I conducted a study focusing on textiles excavated from various parts of Eurasia.
The second theme covers the textile culture of horse-riding nomads who influenced a vast area, including Japan. Since ancient times, the Mongolian plateau has received large quantities of quality silk from China and the Western Regions.
The third theme covers the oasis cities on the Silk Road. Ever since I was a student, I have been participating in excavations in Uzbekistan to clarify the history and culture of the Sogdian people who were actively participating in the Silk Road trade and influenced Japanese culture.
Through these themes, I intend to clarify the actual situation of the Silk Road exchange and what kind of influence it had on Japanese culture.

Journal Articles and Book Chapters (Selected):

“Investigation on Textiles Excavated from the Chandmani Khar Uul in Mongolia,” The Archaeological Journal of Kanazawa University 82 (2022): 72-79
(with Hirofumi Teramura, Takao Uno, Begmatov Alisher, Amridin Berdimurodov, Bogomorov Gennadiy, Sandiboev Alisher) “Excavations at Kafir-Kala in Uzbekistan in 2021: The Residential Area (Shahristan) of the Sogdian Royal Residence”, Proceedings of the 29th Annual Meeting of Excavations in West Asia: Ancient Orient Revealed through Excavations in 2021, 2022, pp.23-27 (in Japanese)
“Outline of research activities: Textiles excavated from the Former Soviet republics”　Kindai Kōko 80, 2021, pp.131-134 (in Japanese)
(with Ayudai Ochir, Lkhagvasüren Erdenebold) “Textiles unearthed from the Tang-style tombs in Mongolia: Tomb of PUGU Yitu at Zaamar and Ulaan Kherem tumulus”, Kindai Kōko 79, 2021, pp.52-67 (in Japanese)
(with Ayudai Ochir, YongZhi Chen, Batsuuri Ankhbayar, Chahar Sarenbilige, PengFei Cheng, Khujaa Tserenbyamba, Dandaer) “Textiles Unearthed from the 1A-Tomb 1 of Talin Gorvan Kherem fortress I in Mongolia (4th 6th centuries CE)”, Kindai Kōko 79, 2021, pp.8-15 (in Japanese)
(with Hirofumi Teramura, Begmatov Alisher, Takao Uno, Usami Tmoyuki, Amridin Berdimurodov, Bogomorov Gennadiy) “Summary of Excavations at Kafir-Kala in Uzbekistan up to 2020: Cultural Exchanges as Reflected in the Novel Discoveries”, Proceedings of the 28th Annual Meeting of Excavations in West Asia: Ancient Orient Revealed through Excavations in 2020, 2021, pp.80-84 (in Japanese)
“Conservation and Restoration of Wood Carving Unearthed from Kafir-Kala in Uzbekistan”, al-Rafidan XLI, 2020, pp.21-33 (in Japanese)
“Textiles of Modern Uzbekistan”, Hokkaido journal of ethnology 16, 2020, pp.29-38
“Чандмань Хар Уулын зарим дурсгалаас илэрсэн бөс даавуун эдлэлийн шинжилгээний ур Дунгээс”, Чандмань Хар Уулын археологийн дурсгал II, 2020, pp.115-125.
“Fiber and Materials used by Xiongnu in Mongolia”, Journal of the Textile Machinery Society of Japan 69(11), 2016, pp.681-687 (in Japanese)
“Silk Textiles from Munchak-tepa in the Fergana Valley”, Annual reports of the Graduate School of Nara University (21), 2016, pp.43-54 (in Japanese)

Courses Taught:

-Traditional Culture of Asia
-Life Culture of Asia

Grants and Fellowships:

-Study on 19th Century German Collection and Newly Discovered Textiles in Xinjiang
(JSPS: Fostering Joint International Research(A), 2020-2023)

-Study on the Distribution and Technology Propagation of Ancient Textiles seen in Found from Central Eurasia
(JSPS: Grants-in-Aid for Young Scientists, 2019-2023)

-Study on Ancient Textiles from the Central Asia
(Takanashi Academic Encouragement Fund: 2020 young research grant, 2020-2021)

-Study on Ancient Textiles from the Central Asia
(Takanashi Academic Encouragement Fund: 2019 young research grant, 2019-2020)

-Textile Technique and Cultural Exchanges: Focus on Excavated from Central Eurasia, Siberia, and Caucasus
(JSPS: Overseas Research Fellowships, 2016-2018)

-Textile Technique and Cultural Exchanges seen in Excavated from East Asia
(JSPS: Grants-in-Aid for Young Scientists B, 2014-2016)

-Textile Technique and Cultural Exchanges seen in Excavated from Central Eurasia and Siberia
(JSPS: Grant-in-Aid for JSPS Fellows, 2013-2016)

-Study on textiles from the Silkroad: Exploration of the history of technological exchange between Japan, East Asia, and Central Asia
(Mizuho International Foundation: Study Abroad Scholarships for Japanese, 2011-2013)

Professional Contributions & Service

-Editorial Committee, Journal of Ainu and Indigenous Studies (2021-2022)