Archives and Mausolea Department, Imperial Household Agency: Archives

About the archives:

There are two divisions: 1) classical and ancient archives and 2) archives from the Meiji Era forward.

About the Imperial Household Agency:

The origin of the Imperial Household Agency dates back 701 when the Imperial Household were defined and regulated in the Taiho Code.  Since its establishment the organization has been called different names: The Ministry of the Imperial Household (701–1889), The Imperial Household Ministry (1889–1947), The Imperial Household Office (1947–1949).

Today's Imperial Household Agency was established in 1949, when the Imperial Household became an external agency of the Prime Minister's Office. In 2001, however, the Imperial Household Agency was organizationally re-positioned under the Cabinet Office.

Focus: Imperial Family

Note: The Guide uses the ALA/LC standard romanization, however, it also reflects a different romanization system used by an individual institution or collection.

Using the Archive

Prior to the Visit:

• Please make an appointment by sending an official request letter before visiting so that it will be received at least 10 days prior to the visit.

• The request letter should include:

• If applying through an affiliated organization: Name of organization head, address and telephone number of organization, name of visiting person(s), subject of research, desired visiting dates (first choice and second choice), title or description of archives of interest.

• Applying Individually: name of the applicant, address and telephone number, desired visiting dates (first choice and second choice), title or description of archives of interest.

Upon Arrival:

• The archive is accessed from the (北桔橋門 Kitahanebashi-mon) Gate .

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

mlaguide@nccjapan.net