On June 1, 2025, at the Kinugasa Art Village Festival in Kyoto, Ritsumeikan University will unveil an interactive project in collaboration with Roland DG and Antigro Designer. This initiative showcases how cutting-edge digital technology can bring traditional Japanese art to life, engaging visitors in a creative and immersive way. By utilizing Sticker Builder’s personalized sticker technology, it blends tradition with innovation to offer a unique cultural experience. Held under the theme “A day to enjoy Kyoto and art using all five senses,” this year’s festival aims to deepen public appreciation for Japan’s cultural heritage through the power of digital technology.
The Kinugasa Art Village Festival is an annual celebration of art organized by Ritsumeikan University. This year’s edition also commemorates the university’s 125th anniversary. The festival features a wide range of activities, from artistic performances to interactive workshops, engaging both the local community and visitors in rich cultural experiences.
As part of the event, visitors will have the opportunity to create custom stickers that merge their own portrait with the figure of Minamoto no Yorimitsu from the Japanese picture scroll Shutendōji which was restored by ARC. Thanks to Sticker Builder’s technology, the process will be fast and intuitive, allowing participants to receive a one-of-a-kind souvenir instantly.
During the event, each participant will be able to scan a dedicated QR code using their mobile device, which will redirect them to Sticker Builder. There, they can upload a photo of themselves, a friend, or even a pet. Once the image is uploaded into the template, the Sticker Builder tool will automatically crop the face from the photo and place it in the appropriate spot within the design, matching it to a character from Shutendōji. Participants will then have the option to further customize the design by applying photo filters and adding text. After the design is confirmed, the system will generate a print-ready file with the cutlines, which will be printed using the Roland VersaSTUDIO BN2-20 eco-solvent desktop inkjet printer/cutter.
Overview of Ritsumeikan University Art Research Center (ARC)
The Art Research Center at Ritsumeikan University, established in 1998, is a leading institution dedicated to the historical and social research of both tangible and intangible human cultural properties, including visual and performing arts as well as traditional craftsmanship. As a pioneer in digital humanities, the ARC integrates the humanities with information sciences to preserve, analyze, and disseminate Japan’s rich cultural heritage. The Center maintains extensive digital archives that support collaborative research with institutions both in Japan and internationally. In recognition of its advanced work in the field, the ARC has been designated by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) as a Joint Usage/Research Center and currently operates as the International Joint Digital Archiving Center for Japanese Art & Culture, playing a vital role in passing down cultural resources to future generations.