Website
Library Home Page: Japanese Collections
Address
Cambridge University Library, West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DR UK
contact
Kristin Williams
Head of Japanese Section
tel: +44 (0)1223 333155
fax: +44 (0)1223 333 160
e-mail: japanese@lib.cam.ac.uk
Size of collection
The number of books and items are generally described as about 3,000 titles or 10,000 volumes, but the actual number may be less. Nozomu Hayashi and Peter Kornicki, Early Japanese Books in Cambridge University Library; a catalogue of the Aston, Satow and Von Siebold Collections (Cambridge, 1991) lists 2,474 items.
Collection description
There is a significant number of early Japanese books in Cambridge University Library principally in the Aston, Satow and von Siebold collections. There are very rare and important items in the Cambridge collection, but one of its great strengths is that each field of early Japanese books is represented.
Access to bibliographic data
A )Online catalogues
Early Japanese books are not included in either Newton,(Cambridge’s OPAC) or the online catalogue(s) of our Japanese Collection including UK Japanese Union Catalogue.
B)Printed catalogues
Readers seeking bibliographic details of early Japanese books should consult the printed catalogue, Nozomu Hayashi and Peter Kornicki, Early Japanese Books in Cambridge University Library; a catalogue of the Aston, Satow and Von Siebold Collections (Cambridge, 1991).
How can researchers gain access to the material?
Through acquiring Cambridge University Card (Reader’s Ticket ) which allows access to special collection materials Eligibility for access to the University LibraryEarly Japanese books can be read in the East Asian Reading Room.
History of the collections
Most of the early Japanese books were collected by Ernest Satow (a diplomat who was a pioneer of Japanese studies) after the Bakumatsu period (the closing days of the Tokugawa Government) and the Meiji Restoration (1868).
Eventually, those books were transferred to his colleague, W.G. Aston. When Aston, who was another pioneer of Japanese studies, died in 1911, Cambridge acquired his collection.
At the same time, Satow added some more of his remaining books to the Cambridge collection. Also, a small number of Japanese books which belonged to Heinrich von Siebold were added to the Cambridge collection.
Select bibliography of publications about the collections (books, articles)
Nozomu Hayashi and Peter Kornicki, Early Japanese Books in Cambridge University Library; a catalogue of the Aston, Satow and Von Siebold Collections (Cambridge, 1991)
Is reproduction of the material permitted ?
Yes in principle, but there may be some restrictions.