Tenri Central Library is well known among book enthusiasts around the world for its valuable and rare collection of classical Japanese books from various genres and periods. In commemoration of the academic partnership reached between Tenri University and SOAS, this exhibition of books is held at the Brunei Gallery under the title “1000 Years of the Art of Japanese Books: Treasures from Tenri Central Library.” and will give an overview of the one thousand year long history of Japanese classical texts and highlight their bookbinding style, format, paper quality, illustration and calligraphic style so that Japanese book culture can be appreciated in all its beauty.
We are reminded of the close ties between Japan and the United Kingdom, as we are able to hold this exhibition in this year 2013, which marks the 400th anniversary of the two countries’ relations. It will give us tremendous joy if this event makes Japanese book culture accessible to many people in the UK and around the world, including specialists of Japanese studies, book enthusiasts and anyone interested in Japan, and helps deepen their understanding and affinity for Japan.
The exhibition will have a programme of public events and demonstrations throughout April, May and June to introduce and explain some of the key themes in the exhibition to new audiences – these will include Gagaku, Tea Ceremony, calligraphy, Sake tasting, origami, and lectures using the exhibition as their setting.
NEW! Tuesday 30 April 2013 The Fascination of Traditional Japanese Books
A special lecture (in Japanese) by Prof. Masayoshi Ohashi, Vice President of Tenri University
Room G3, SOAS from 4:00pm – 5:30pm .
All welcome
For more information on the exhibition and associated events, please see the website http://www.soas.ac.uk/gallery/tenri/
A special tour of the exhibition can be arranged. Please contact Mr.N.Takeuchi at takeuchi123@hotmail.com