Kyoto University Library Network

7 items including “文机談” from Kikutei Collection held by the Main Library are now available in Kyoto University Rare Materials Digital Archive. 

Kikutei Collection is an assembly of manuscripts and books handed down through the Kikutei Family founded by Kanesue (1281-1339; 兼季), the forth son of Sanekane Saionji (1249-1322; 西園寺実兼). The Kikutei (Imadegawa) Family was designated one of the highest status court families called the Seiga (清華) family which members can be appointed as Daijō-daijin (太政大臣) and served as biwa (Japanese lute) players. The collection includes many records of the court rituals, documents on music and instruments, and diaries hand-written by nobles.
The collection deposited in 1921 and 1923 and additional documents and scrolls of portraits related to the Kikutei Family were donated to the Main Library, Kyoto University by the owner of the collection and were formally registered as the holdings of the library in January 2021.
 

▼Kikutei Collection

Bunkidan (文机談) is a collection of musical stories centered around the biwa (Japanese lute), compiled during the Bun'ei period (1264-1275). The book vividly describes the schools and masters of the biwa, and is an important source for understanding the history of music from the Heian to Kamakura periods. The second volume contains the story of Kamo no Chōmei (鴨長明), who was fond of playing the biwa.
According to the legend of the Kikutei family, the manuscript is considered to be an autograph copy by the author, Bunkibō Ryūen (文机房隆圓). However, it is actually believed to be a transcription from the late Kamakura period, not long after the work’s completion. Among the nine known versions of Bunkidan, the book of the Kikutei Collection is the oldest. Five volumes in five booklets are extant, although some pages are missing.
The second through fifth volumes were written on the reverse side of letters. In the digitization process, we restored the damaged papers, disassembled the books, and digitized all documents written inside of the pages. By making these reverse-side documents publicly available for the first time, it is hoped that further examination will determine the date of transcription in the future.

“文机談” Left: Signature by Ryūen / Right: Beginning of the first volume

In addition, six other titles are also available, including Korefusa Kōki (惟房公記), the autograph diary of Madenokōji Korefusa (万里小路惟房; 1513-1573), a Sengoku period lord, and a floor plan of the Kikutei residence.

“邸宅指図”

As of January 30, 2025, Kyoto University Rare Materials Digital Archive provides 2,154,407 images of 25,517 titles.
 

Main Library set January 13 (Mon.) to February 7 (Fri.),  2025 as the preparation period for the examination and will provide special services as follows.

1. 3F Library Hall is available as a study room(from January 17)

Hours are as follows:

• Weekdays 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 10:00 a.m. - 30 minutes before the closing time

2. Extension of hours on January 25-26, February 1-2

The library will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the following days.

• 1/25 (Sat.)
• 1/26 (Sun.)
• 2/1 (Sat.)
• 2/2 (Sun.)

For details, please check the Main Library's hours.

3. For non-KU users (including graduates)

Please refrain from entering the library because it is crowded with KU students for the period.
Thank you for your cooperation.

* For service during regular period, please refer to the "Guide for non-KU users" on the Kyoto University Library website.

Sorry, this entry is only available in 日本語.

On October 1, Kyoto University Library Network has started offering unlimited simultaneous access to 70 e-books of Kodansha, including Blue Backs, Kodansha Gendai Shinsho, and Kodansha Gakujutsu Bunko, which are frequently used.
Please take advantage of this opportunity.

Platform : KinoDen
Title lists : Recommended Kodansya books available on your smart phone (KULINE Tag)
How to use : Please refer to "How to use e-resources" 

Notes:
The e-books are for on-screen viewing only and cannot be printed or downloaded.
Titles may be changed periodically.

Katsura library, Yoshida-south Library and Main Library are holding an e-book fair in each library.
Please stop by.

Katsura Library  :  [Katsura Library] Special Exhibition: KinoDen e-book fair―Recommended Kodansha books available on your smart phone―　(update:11/15)
Yoshida-South Library : Let's read e-books! Campaign Part 2!　（Japanese only)

The following event will be held at Main Library.

Consider My Global Career ~OECD~

• Date & Time: October 18, 2024 12:10-13:30
• Subject: Kyoto University students
  * For those interested in working for international organizations
• Agenda:
  • OECD Overview
  • Internship at OECD
  • Steps from Application to Start of Internship at OECD
• Speaker:
  • Josée Touchette, Director of the Executive Directorate
  • Kate Cornford, Counsellor to the Executive Director
• Language: English
• Venue: Library hall, 3rd floor, Main Library
  * Online (Zoom) available.
• News: https://www.career.gakusei.kyoto-u.ac.jp/events/evnt/20241018-2/

In collaboration with this event, we hold the special exhibition at the Learning Commons of Main Library.
It introduces books, eBooks, and databases related to "Career Design", "Global Career", and "OECD Activities".

• Period: October 11 (Fri) - 24 (Thu), 2024
• Exhibition list:
  • Book (KULINE > Library Service > Special Exhibition > Main Library)
  • eBook (KULINE > Public Tag "イベントコラボ「グローバルキャリアを考える」")
  • Database "OECD iLibrary" (Kyoto University Library Network > Databases list > O)