Rare Books
Waseda University Library owns a large number of materials of eminent cultural value. Together with two items designated as National Treasures and 5 sets (187 items) as Important Cultural Assets, there are manuscripts, rare books, calligraphies, handwriting strips of poems, archival materials related to Japanese history, several special collections named after their donators etc. Because of their rarity, access to such materials is usually limited, except for special exhibitions. Presented here is a selection from the rare materials owned by the library.Rare Books
- Atsumori emaki
Picture scroll of a medieval Japanese tale. - Igra v adu ("A Game in Hell")
Russian Avant-garde poems with illustrations. - Tokyo nichinichi shimbun
Tokyoite first daily newspaper (inaugurated in 1872) - Sketch for "Tosei shosei katagi" / by Tsubouchi Shoyo.
Designated for illustrations of the novel by the author. - Dainihon tenmon sokuryo bunken ezu / by Ino Tadataka.
One of the renowned maps of Edo-period Japan. - Zapiski flota ("Memoirs of a captivity in Japan")
Early bestseller on Japan (19th century) by a Russian captain. - Nishigaki bunko (collected by Nishigaki Buichi)
Vivid reminder of the media in the late Edo and Meiji periods. - Junishi kuawase
Pioneering work of paintings with haiku verses.
- Microscope (in use by Udagawa Yoan?)
Gifted presumably by Philipp Franz von Siebold. - Description de l'Egypte
Research results of the French expedition launched by Napoleon. - Jugend
Munich magazine of fine arts (originating the word "Jugendstil"). - Koshoku ichidai otoko (1st ed.)
Masterpiece novel in the Edo period. - Heibon (manuscript) / by Futabatei Shimei
From the valuable collection related to the modern novelist and translator. - Antarctic expedition of Shirase
Documentary film of the Meiji period. - Principes du droit politique / J. J. Rousseau. - 1st ed.
Monumental work of the Enlightenment - Genji monogatari (Tale of Genji)
Manuscript ("trousseau" book style) originating from the Sanjonishi family