Preservation Processing of The Wooden Cross on Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral

Abstract

Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral built of brick in combination with wood was built in May, Meiji 23 (A.D.1890) at 3–jo, Kawara–machi, Nakagyo–ku, Kyoto city. The cathedral was courteously loved and used by people for about 83 years until it was removed to Meiji–Mura museum in Showa 48 (A.D.1973). The cathedral is exhibited to the public in the museum and approched with scientific research, filling the role of providing visitors with the atmoshere of the Meiji age as well. The cross made of zelkova has been mounted on the roof, however, wind and weather in long years deteriorate the surface to generate an unsound part therein. A preservation process is implemented to reinforce the unsound part and prevent deterioration by polysiloxane–impregnated reinforcement/deterioration–prohibiting agent so as to be bearable for the cross to an indoor exhibition for a long period. The result evaluated by a tensile test of the driven nail indicates that a strength of the unsound part is recovered as that of a normal part.