Investigating the effect of augmented reality technology on traditional culture experience motivation by using a novel Tosenkyo application

In this study, we proved that augmented reality (AR) technology increases the motivation to experience traditional culture. We developed an AR Tosenkyo application to simulate "Tosenkyo," a traditional Japanese game, and conducted experiments with 47 participants, including foreigners. Because Tosenkyo AR application components can be categorized into play equipment and backgrounds, we prepared three applications with different degrees of AR environmental conditions to investigate their effect on motivation. The results of the experiment revealed that, before the AR experience, Japanese people were less motivated to experience traditional culture compared with Chinese people; however, after the AR experience, their motivation increased considerably. This tendency was pronounced in a harmonic AR environment, which is considered a moderate fusion of reality and AR. Furthermore, the path analysis of the questionnaire results revealed that higher quality of AR application considerably improves motivation.