Support Projects for Enhancing Function
Developing a Comprehensive Database of Pre-modern Books Using Kuzushiji Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Technology
Making use of one of the world's largest collections of theatre-related rare and old books held at the Theatre Museum, we are preparing an environment to encourage new research using the kuzushiji (characters in cursive style) OCR technology and enhancing our database of rare and old materials . We have created and promoted the use of a character style database of two joruri reciters' books, Kanadehon chushingura and Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura, and a list of surnames on kabuki banzuke, as well as a groundbreaking new display system that combines intuitive operational methods with comprehensive database coverage. We are considering further use by young researchers and overseas researchers.
See here for the kuzushiji viewer
An example of the new display method for the reprinted text of Kanadehon Chushingura
Character style database of character “とto” from Kanadehon Chushingura
Summary of research findings of the project, fiscal 2017
Summary of research findings of the project, fiscal 2016