This exhibition will explain the form and content structure of Japanese books and introduce literary works in manuscript, in print and in books with unique character. This exhibition will also raise issues in determining the nature of Japanese books. As an overall result, basic knowledge about Japanese books will be learned and there is more opportunity to further consider this subject matter.

The Tesshinsai Collection, put together by the late CEO of Sanwa Tekki Corporation (located in Shinagawa, Tokyo), Ashizawa Shinji, and his wife Misako, is the product of four decades of dedicated collecting. This unrivalled collection of material relating to the Tale of Ise, containing upwards of one-thousand items, was donated to the National Institute of Japanese Literature in 2015. Considering the fundamental role played by the Tale of Ise in shaping Japanese culture throughout the ages, we are proud to announce the exhibition at NIJL of approximately eighty specially selected items from the Tesshinsai Collection.

This exhibition traces history of Japanese literature with books from ancient time to the beginning of Meiji period. We try to show the flow of Japanese literature history with familiar works as well as considering the recent study result. Please enjoy the various aspects of Japanese literature history as watching expression of manuscripts or texture of printed materials.