click here you can see the list of U-PARL selection
Asian studies have been prolific at the University of Tokyo since it was an Imperial University, and now it boasts the largest collection of related items in Japan. From its establishment in 2014, U-PARL has attached particular significance to proper digitalization and publication of Asia-related items. The research staff members, each specializing in a specific Asian region, in addition to selecting items appropriate for digitalization from the University’s collection, have been also actively engaged in acquiring valuable items considered to be highly worthy of study on the antiquarian book market. Upon repeated deliberations regarding methods of making the items public that would be most beneficial for the academic community, including assigning metadata, etc., and making sure that no rights would be infringed, in May 2017, 1,885 digital images from 11 items in total (seven items in the possession of the General Library of the University of Tokyo Library System and four items purchased by U-PARL) were published on the web. The initiative was taken up and further developed by the “Asian Research Library Digital Collections” project that commenced in 2019.
Among all the Asian Research Library Digital Collections, the “Calligraphic models collection,” “Shuihuzhuan collection,” and “Digital Resources for Egyptian Studies” are based on the specialization of the research staff members of U-PARL. In contrast to these collections, the “U-PARL Selections” comprise valuable items selected with the goal of ensuring the diversity of resources related to Asian studies and making them widely available for research to the academic community. In addition to such rare books in the possession of the General Library of the University of Tokyo Library System, as Yuan Shi Changqing Ji can 5 juan (a Chinese book (partial) published in the Southern Song dynasty, China; from the Seishu Bunko collection), Gujin Lidai Shibashi Lüe 2 juan shou 1 juan (Chinese books published in the Yuan dynasty, China; from the Nanki Bunko collection), as well as Nonŏ Ŏnhae 4-kwŏn (rare Chinese books with ŏnhae 諺解 published in the Chosŏn dynasty, Korea; from the General Library collection), the “U-PARL Selections” also include Pungno Kiryak 4-kwŏn (Chosŏn: Chŏng Yunyong. Hand-copied text. Purchased by U-PARL in 2014.), Baqi Shizu Tongpu 80 juan shou 1 juan (rare Manju books published in the Qing dynasty, China), the “U-PARL Selections” also provide access to Lunyu Jijie can 4 juan (from the Seishu Bunko collection), Zuantu Fuyin Zengguang Guzhu Qianziwen 3 juan (from the Nanki Bunko collection), and other Chinese books hand-copied in Japan, along with Zengguang Longkan Shoujian 8 juan (from the Nanki Bunko collection), Yifang Dacheng Lun 1 juan (from the Gakken Bunko collection), and other Japanese old movable-type editions of Chinese books. We plan to continue adding new content and expanding the collection.
Michiko NAKAO (Project Research Fellow)
＊This is an English translation of a Japanese article from the “Catalog of the University of Tokyo Asian Research Library Digital Collections 2017–2023” published on 29 February 2024. For more information about the catalog, please click here.
March 18, 2024