Japanese historical documents acquired

The Asia Library recently acquired four sets of Japanese historical documents using funding received from the National Coordination Council on Japanese Library Resources. The acquisitions include: Shoke Keizu Shiryoshu, a comprehensive collection of clan genealogies of the 17th and 19th centuries; Gobangata Daidaiki, a detailed record of local governments during the Tokugawa period (1603–1867); Kyoto Bijitsu Kyokai Zasshi (The Journal of the Kyoto Art Association), important material for the study of the Kyoto style of art; and Komin Kyoiku (The Citizen’s Education), a journal published 1931–42 that reflects the rise of militarism.

The documents, contained on 126 reels of microfilm, will be cataloged and made available to the University community and other libraries through the University Library’s InterLibrary Loan program.

“The Asia Library is one of the most comprehensive research resources outside of Asia for Chinese and Japanese studies,” says William A. Gosling, University Library director. “The addition of these major historical resources greatly enriches the Japanese collections of the Library in support of Japanese studies.”

The National Coordination Council on Japanese Library Resources helps finance the purchase of source materials through an annual open competition. The Asia Library this year received four of the 16 titles approved by the council.

“We are very pleased to receive funding for the acquisition of these important primary source materials,” says Kenji Niki, curator of the Asia Library’s Japanese Collection. “We will have these materials cataloged online and make them available to the scholarly community.”