Rissho University Rare Book Library
About
The Rissho University Rare Book Library is a special place that mainly holds old Japanese books such as Hanpon.The biggest feature of our Rare Book Library is that most of the Hanpon are on open shelves. We welcome you to experience and discover Japanese traditional papers, ink, colors, characters, illustrations, binding, thread and paste several hundred years old.
Video
What are Hanpon?
Welcome to the Rissho University Rare Book Library!
Collection
We have about 45,000 old Japanese books, mainly Hanpon before the Edo period (pre 1868). In addition to them, we also have manuscripts, scrolls, folded books, and ukiyo-e prints. About 70% of the collection is related to Buddhism. This is because Rissho University was established as an educational institution for priests of Nichiren Buddhism.
Facility overview
Our reading room is divided into three areas. In all areas, you can freely access our collection.
We have a copy stand. Because our materials are old, it's not possible to copy them with copy machines. After fixing the materials using paperweights, we take pictures from above with a camera and provide the data or paper prints.
There are two counters: the main counter and the specialist counter. At the specialist counter, you can consult about Hanpon and old Japanese books.
Etiqutte Guidelines
In order to protect materials such as Hanpon, we have our own manners and rules that we ask patrons to cooperate with.
- Wipe your feet at the entrance.
- Enter through the gate.
- Receive a plastic bag at the counter.
- Put your belongings and jacket in the locker.
- Do not wear rings and watches that might damage book pages.
- Put stationery and valuables into a plastic bag and bring them into the reading room.
- Clean your hands before handling Hanpon.
- Take Hanpon from the bookshelves by yourself.
- Put it flat on the desk and turn the page.
- Do not wear gloves when handling Hanpon.
- Only use pencils for writing. Do not keep pens, erasers or liquids nearby.
- Return Hanpon you have read to the counter instead of the bookshelves.
- Get your belongings from the locker, return the plastic bag, and leave.
Contact us
***** When you visit our library, contact us in advance. *****
Rissho University Rare Book Library
4-2-16 Osaki Shinagawa-ku,Tokyo JAPAN,141-8602
Phone +81-3-3492-6615
FAX +81-3-5487-3349
E-mail kosho-lib★ris.ac.jp (←Replace ★ with @)
