Preservation Assets
Preservation Assets preserves meaningful objects that have been carefully kept over time because of their personal, historical, commemorative, or cultural significance.
This collection includes long-preserved memorabilia, awards, certificates, medals, personal milestones, and other objects that represent important moments, achievements, relationships, and memories throughout a lifetime.
Within 22degrees Digital Museum, Preservation Assets focuses on preserving the objects themselves, while the experiences, stories, and interpretations connected to them are preserved separately within the archive system.
Long-Preserved Personal Tools and Decorative Objects
Long-Preserved Personal Memorabilia
Lifetime Achievement Records
Personal Milestone Objects and so on…
（Examples）
Effort(iron art)
A Life Companion Preservation Asset
Hawaiian Necklaces and Fish Hooks
Okinawan Glass Floats
Mexican Bags ”Acquired around 1995–1996 and preserved for approximately 30–31 years.””Part of a personal collection preserved continuously since the mid-1990s.”
Mexican Pottery and Cookware ”Acquired around 1995–1996 and preserved for approximately 30–31 years.””Part of a personal collection preserved continuously since the mid-1990s.”
Mexican Silver Works ”Acquired around 1995–1996 and preserved for approximately 30–31 years.””Part of a personal collection preserved continuously since the mid-1990s.”
Mexican Tapestries ”Acquired around 1995–1996 and preserved for approximately 30–31 years.””Part of a personal collection preserved continuously since the mid-1990s.”
Sweaters from the Former Yugoslavia ”Preserved for approximately 37–38 years.” （Part of a personal collection preserved since the late 1980s.）
Turkish Sheepskin Jackets ”Preserved for approximately 37–38 years.” （Part of a personal collection preserved since the late 1980s.）
And Other Creative and Cultural Assets
Honolulu Marathon Finisher Medal
Honolulu Marathon Finisher Certificate
Volunteer Recognition Plaque
Commemorative Awards
努力（Effort）鉄製アート作品
A Life Companion Preservation Asset
ホノルルマラソン完走メダル 完走証明書 記念楯 長年保管してきた思い出の品 人生の節目を示す実物資料
長年保存されてきた大切な道具や装飾品,その他の創作資産および文化資産
収蔵例
ハワイ由来の伝統的なフック型ネックレス
沖縄のガラス玉
ルクセンブルグの木彫り
旧ユーゴスラビアの紙幣
メキシコの袋類
メキシコの陶器鍋類
メキシコの銀製品
メキシコのタペストリー
旧ユーゴスラビア連邦共和国のセーター ”Preserved for approximately 37–38 years.” （Part of a personal collection preserved since the late 1980s.）
トルコ共和国のシープスキンジャケット ”Preserved for approximately 37–38 years.” （Part of a personal collection preserved since the late 1980s.）
ID: 22-PA-001
Date: 2026.06.21
Effort
A Life Companion Preservation Asset
Collection Data
Title:
Effort
Object Type:
Symbolic Text Object
Material:
Iron
Dimensions:
H 190 mm × W 111 mm × D 9.2–9.6 mm
Weight:
407.5 g
Creator:
A Mentor in Life
Estimated Production Period:
Late 1970s to Early 1980s
Collection Status:
22degrees Preservation Assets Collection
- The Object
“Effort” is a text-based artwork created by cutting and shaping a piece of iron plate.
It is believed to have been produced sometime between the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Although composed of a single character, the work possesses a strong presence and evokes ideas of determination, discipline, and perseverance.
The use of iron contributes a sense of weight, durability, and permanence that resonates with the meaning of the word itself. In this sense, the material and the message become inseparable.
Rather than functioning merely as a means of communication, the word is transformed into a physical object that embodies a philosophy and a way of life.
The creator was born in Saga Prefecture, Japan, and pursued a distinguished career in judo based in Aichi Prefecture. He later became a champion of the All Japan Corporate Judo Individual Championships and contributed to the leadership and administration of the Japan Masters Judo community. He has also been a mentor throughout life.
This object was received during my teenage years.
From my early twenties, when I began working in residential housing and homebuilding, to the present day, this object has remained in a visible place for approximately thirty-seven years.
It has accompanied periods of professional challenge.
Moments of personal hardship.
The pursuit of learning and professional qualifications.
The discipline of everyday living.
And a lifelong commitment to creating homes and environments for people.
Throughout these experiences, the word “Effort” has remained close at hand.
When viewed in the context of the creator’s life as a judoka, the work may be understood not as a representation of victory or achievement, but as a symbol of the long and continuous process of self-cultivation.
This object is neither a decorative item nor merely a keepsake.
It represents the values cherished by a dedicated judoka and has also become a symbolic presence that has supported a life over many decades.
Today, this work is preserved as part of the 22degrees Preservation Assets Collection.
The collection preserves not only the object itself, but also documents how a single word can continue to influence a person’s life over time as a record of Human-People Experience.
ID: 22-PA-001
Date: 2026.06.21
Effort
A Life Companion Preservation Asset
Collection Data
Title：
努力（Effort）
Object Type：
Symbolic Text Object
Material：
鉄製
Dimensions：
H 190 mm × W 111 mm × D 9.2–9.6 mm
Weight：
407.5 g
Creator：
人生の師
Estimated Production Period：
1970年代後半～1980年代前半頃
Collection Status：
22degrees Preservation Assets Collection
- The Object
作品概要
「努力」は、鉄板を切り出して制作された文字作品である。
制作された時期は1970年代後半から1980年代前半頃と考えられる。
一文字のみで構成された極めて簡潔な造形でありながら、その存在感は強く、鑑賞者に精神性や意志を想起させる特徴を持つ。
素材には鉄が用いられており、金属特有の重量感と堅牢性は、「努力」という言葉が持つ継続性や忍耐のイメージと重なり合っている。
本作品は、文字を単なる情報伝達の手段として扱うのではなく、思想や価値観そのものを物質化したオブジェとして捉えることができる。
作者は、佐賀県出身で愛知県を拠点に柔道競技を続け、後に全日本実業柔道個人選手権優勝を果たし、日本マスターズ柔道界の指導・運営にも携わった人生の師である。
10代の頃にこの作品を譲り受けた。
その後、住宅づくりの仕事に携わるようになった20代前半から現在に至るまで、およそ37年間、この作品を常に目に見える場所に置きながら生活を続けてきた。
仕事における困難な局面。
人生における試練。
学びや資格取得への挑戦。
日々の暮らしを整え続けること。
そして住宅づくりを通じて人々の暮らしと向き合うこと。
そのような様々な場面において、「努力」という言葉は常に身近に存在し続けた。
また、作者が柔道家として歩んだ人生と重ね合わせて鑑賞した場合、本作品は競技成績や勝敗を表現するものではなく、人が長い年月をかけて自己を鍛え続ける過程そのものを象徴する作品として解釈することができる。
本作品は単なる装飾品でも、単なる記念品でもない。
それは一人の柔道家が大切にしていた価値観を象徴する作品であり、同時に人生を長期間にわたり支え続けた象徴的存在でもある。
現在、本作品は22degrees Preservation Assets Collectionの収蔵品として保存されている。
本コレクションでは、この作品そのものだけではなく、一つの言葉がどのように人の人生へ作用し続けるのかというHuman-People Experienceの記録としても保存を行っていく。
02. The Creator and Provenance
作者と来歴
The creator of this work is a judoka who devoted his life to the practice of judo and has been a lifelong mentor to me.
From an early age, he chose the path of judo out of consideration for his family and continued to build himself through quiet and persistent daily training.
During his youth, while working for a steel manufacturing company, he created this work, Effort.
This piece was not produced after achieving national recognition or major competitive success. Rather, it was created at the beginning of his adult life, when he was still walking toward an unknown future with determination and hope.
In the years that followed, he continued his lifelong dedication to judo, eventually becoming one of Japan’s distinguished competitors while also contributing to the education and development of future generations.
Approximately fifty years after the work was created, the creator learned that it had been carefully preserved for decades.
Upon hearing this, he humbly remarked:
“I never imagined something like this would be treasured so carefully. I am truly grateful.”
This response reflects the character of the creator himself.
The significance of this work lies not only in the object, but also in the humility, sincerity, and enduring spirit of effort embodied by its creator.
These words are preserved together with the work itself as an important part of its provenance and historical record.
02. The Creator and Provenance
作者と来歴
本作品の作者は、長年にわたり柔道の道を歩み続けた柔道家であり、私にとって人生の師でもある。
少年時代、家族への思いから自ら柔道の道を選び、日々の地道な鍛錬を積み重ねながら、人としての生き方を築いていった。
青年期、鉄を扱う企業に勤めていた頃に、本作品「努力」を制作した。
この作品は、大きな実績や名声を得た後に制作されたものではない。
まだ未来へ向かって歩み始めた青年が、自らの人生に向けた静かな決意を、一文字の「努力」に託して生み出した作品である。
その後も長年にわたり柔道を続け、日本を代表する競技者の一人として歩むとともに、後進の育成や柔道界の発展にも貢献し続けた。
本作品の制作から約50年後、この作品が長年にわたり大切に保存され続けていたことを知った作者は、
「そんな大したものではないのに、大切にしてくれて本当にありがたい。」
と語り、そのことを心から喜んだという。
この言葉は、作者自身の人柄を表すとともに、本作品が歩んできた歴史の一部でもある。
本作品の価値は、鉄という素材や文字の造形だけにあるのではない。
作者が生涯を通して示し続けた謙虚さ、誠実さ、そして努力を積み重ねる精神が、この作品そのものに静かに宿っている。
その思いとともに、本作品は作者の来歴を伝える貴重な記録として、22degrees Preservation Assets Collectionに保存される。
LUXEMBOURG（ルクセンブルク） JOURNEY
