Da Vinci masterpiece arrives in Japan

TOKYO: Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Annunciation' was safely placed on the wall of a Tokyo museum on Friday, prompting a sigh of relief amid fears the masterpiece could have been damaged during the trip from Italy.

Some 15 specialists took more than an hour to remove the 15th-century painting from a triple-layer protective crate of wood and metal and hang it at the Tokyo National Museum.

An expert from Florence's Uffizi museum gently dusted the canvas to remove any particles that could have accumulated during the long journey by air and road, before putting a glass casing over the artwork.

Plans to sent the Renaissance painting to Japan sparked protests in Italian cultural circles, including from the director of the Uffizi, who said the work, which had not left Florence since 1945, was too fragile to be transported.

'The Annunciation,' which measures 98 by 217 centimeters (38 by 85 inches), depicts the Angel Gabriel announcing to a startled Virgin Mary that she will give birth to Jesus.

The painting by Da Vinci, who is most famous for the 'Mona Lisa,' will be on public view in Tokyo from Tuesday through June 17 as part of an exhibition of Italian art.

Italian and Japanese officials broke into applause after overseeing the delicate operation.

"I'm greatly impressed by the safety measures. This was an absolutely safe trip. The move was excellent, excellent," Italy's Ambassador to Japan Mario Bova said.

"I'm very moved to watch this masterpiece, so important for the culture of the world and Italian culture, arrive all the way here for the Japanese public," he said.

During the voyage, the protective crate included a 'black box' connected to a computer that monitored temperature and humidity.

"There could be no conditions more perfect," assured the Uffizi's Antonio Godoli who oversaw the process.

The Tokyo National Museum said it had also taken precautions against earthquakes, which frequently jolt the metropolis, when designing the museum fittings for the painting.