Wilhelm Kuprecht (1868-1955) was one of the early Swiss visitors to Japan. He traveled there in 1902-1909 to work with a textile company located in Kyoto. During his time in Japan he took notes on technical details of the Japanese textile production but also assembled a fine collection of Japanese art objects, including hundreds of woodblock prints.

A group of students of the department of East Asian art history led by Prof. Hans Thomsen are currently doing survey of the archives and collection still in possession of the family. Scholars from Japan provide scientific support in several areas of expertise. A publication is planned in the coming years and an online database where the collection will be accessible for the public to view.