The Indigenous Documents Group focuses on the excavation, collection, preservation, and collaboration of endangered indigenous documents, such as palm leaf manuscripts and folded paper parchment (parabaik), with the cooperation and collaboration of overseas research institutions. For the excavation, collection, and preservation projects, the Group will actively dispatch COE research members and overseas students to utilize the experience as on-site training in the collection, preservation, and deciphering of such documentation. At the same time, the Group endeavors to establish and enhance its research and documentation activities network with the local research and education institutions who hold such documentation in their archives.

<Focus Period> 17th-19th centuries
<Research Focus> Creation of nations and transformations of indigenous societies

In the first year, the Group will focus on research and studies on 17th-19th century handwritten documents, copies of books, palm leaf manuscripts and folded paper parchment (parabaik) in Burma (Myanmar), China, Mongolia, Indonesia, and Japan, and commence work to establish a collaborative cooperation arrangement with overseas researchers and institutions.

Simultaneously, on-site indigenous documentation research workshops will be held to promote comparative studies of indigenous document (local document) in 17th-19th century Asia. Introductions and information on the documentation will be made available on the website and a documentation newsletter will also be distributed.

From the second year onwards, the Group will launch on-site documentation research and preservation projects, including microfilm photography and digitalization processes. Furthermore, indices of documentation will be created and distributed over the Internet. In addition to organizing workshops on the spot, an international conference on "The Current Situation of Indigenous Documentation Research on 17th-19th Century Asia" (tentative title) will be held in Japan.