Conference
The Birth and Transformation of Images in Sacred Sites
International conference organized by Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology, the University of Tokyo, International Studies Institute Florence, Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz – Max Planck Institut, Sagas, Università degli studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di ingegneria civile e architettura, Università di Pavia
PROGRAM
Welcome Remarks
Stefano Baldassarri (ISI Florence)
I. Chance Images
Chair: Hannah Baader (Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz – Max Planck Institute)
Akiyama Akira (The University of Tokyo)
“Manifestation of the Sacred in Sacred Sites: A Comparative Art-Historical Approach”
Matsuzaki Teruaki (Tokyo Kasei University)
“Ascetic Practices and Images in Japanese Mountain-Worship Architecture”
Gerhard Wolf (Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz – Max Planck Institute)
“Holy Rocks, Sacred Trees, and Transient Images in the Kumano Pilgrimage Sites”
II. Italian Paths
Chair: Doi Hideyuki (The University of Tokyo)
Lorenzo Amato (The University of Tokyo)
“Between the Bible and Persian Poetry: Giovan Battista Vecchietti's Pilgrimage across
the Sacred Middle East”
Mons. Paolo Giulietti (Archdiocese of Lucca) & Olimpia Niglio (University of Pavia)
“Diplomacy of the Spirit: Evangelization between the West and Japan and the
‘Thesaurum Fidei’ Project”
Francesco Salvestrini (SAGAS, University of Florence)
“Orsanmichele in Florence: Polysemy and the Heritage of a Renaissance Public
Monument”
Closing Remarks
Akiyama Akira (The University of Tokyo)
Downloads
18 September 2026, 9:00am
This is an external event which will be held at:
INTERNATIONAL STUDIES INSTITUTE FLORENCE (ISI FLORENCE)
LUNGARNO DELLE GRAZIE 22
50122 FLORENCE, ITALY
Notice
Information on the accessibility of our event venues can be found on our Accessibility at Events page.
This event will be documented photographically and/or recorded on video. Please let us know if you do not agree with the Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz using images in which you might be recognizable for event documentation and public relation purposes (e.g. social media).