LibGuides: Sophia University: Kirishitan bunko Library (キリシタン文庫)

General Information

Facility:	Kirishitan bunko Libray
Address:	Central Library L-824 7-1 Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8554
Phone:	+81-3-3238-3538
Email:	kirishit#sophia.ac.jp (Please replace# with @)
Hours:	9:30-4:30 pm (closed 11:30-12:30), Monday - Friday
Closed:	Saturdays, Sundays, Japanese National Holidays, summer break (Aug. 2-25), Nov. 1-2 (Sophia Festival), Dec. 3 (Feast day of St. Francis Xavier), winter break (Dec. 23-Jan. 4)

About the Library:

Kirishitan Bunko Library was founded by the late Fr. Johannes Laures SJ, on Feb. 5 (the feast day of the twenty-six martyrs of Nagasaki), 1939 with a mission to advance the study of the history of Kirishitan (early Japanese Christians) and the study of cultural exchanges between Japan and Europe.
The collection of Kirishitan Bunko includes more than 15,000 books in various languages. As a leading research library and archive specialized in Kirishitan studies, the Bunko collects primary and secondary sources while promoting interdisciplinary researches about the subject.

Resources & Facilities

Sophia University Central Library
上智大学中央図書館
Institute of Comparative Culture
上智大学比較文化研究所
Institute of Asian Cultures
上智大学アジア文化研究所
Kirishitan Bunko Library
キリシタン文庫

Summary of Collection(s)

Collection Size: 15,000 volumes

Notable Collection(s):

Missionary publications from the 16th century to the present, manuscripts, maps, and artifacts related to early modern history and cultural exchange, linguistics, Kirishitan art and literature, as well as the Japanese anti-Christian literature published during the period of persecution.

“Fr. Petitjean’s Press” published during the restoration of the Catholic Church in Japan (1865-1880).

Chinese Catholic publications from the late Ming-early Qing period.

Note: To view books in the collection, Please contact the library in advance and complete their application process.

Search Tools and Databases

Laures Kirishitan Bunko Database
This database is the electronic catalogue of rare books contained “Kirishitan Bunko” edited by Johannes Laures, S.J. as well as added material after the publication.
Rarebook database
Collection of rare materials published before 1614 (in Japanese) or 1700 (in European languages)
Sophia-R
Sophia University's Institutional Repository (Sophia-R) is a system that collects and stores the research & educational achievements of the university (available to the public).

Access

Campus Map

How to Use the Facility

Using the Library

Required the advance inquiry and completing the application process.

Prior to the Visit:

Please verify the desired material is available by using Laures Kirishitan Bunko Database.

Letter of Introduction (紹介状 Shōkaijō) from your home institution library. Please use the following form if the home institution does not have one:

A letter of Introduction (Word, PDF)

Upon Arrival:

At the reference desk:

Please present a letter of Introduction and some form of personal ID to receive "one day user's pass."

Note: For more information please read "To Researchers not affiliated with Sophia University."

Photocopy:

Please read "Notice about copying" on their webpage.

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For all comments and questions about the Guide, please e-mail us:

mlaguide@nccjapan.net