The Toyo Bunko (The Oriental Library)

General Information

Japanese Name: 東洋文庫
Address: 2-28-21 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0021, Japan
Japanese Address: 〒113-0021　東京都文京区本駒込2-28-21
Phone Number: 03-3942-0121 (03-3942-0122 for library, reading room, and photocopies)
Online: http://www.toyo-bunko.or.jp/
Database Search: http://www.toyo-bunko.or.jp/library/SearchMenu.html
Opening Times: M-F, 9-4:30 (closed 12-12:30 for lunch). Reading materials can be requested 9-4.
Closed: Closed national holidays and last day of month, 27 Dec - 4 Jan, 19 November.
Information Last Confirmed: September 15, 2003

Directions

The library is 7 minutes walk from Sengoku station on the Mita subway line. It is an 8 minute walk from Komagome station on the Yamanote train line. From Komagome take the north exit of the station and turn left. Continue walking on the main road passed the Rikugien (六義園) park. Turn right at the next major intersection (不忍通り). The library is on the left hand site after walking about 90 meters, just before reaching the police station. The reading room is on the second floor to the left. Usage

The library is free of charge and available for anyone conducting research on culture and history in the Asian region. An application must be filled out each visit to the library, unless a letter of introduction is provided by an institute or an academic scholar holding a position in Asian studies and an application is submitted for a long-term card (valid for one year). Materials may not be borrowed from the library. A request form for materials is submitted with the id number of the desired book or document and may be used in the reading room. Photocopies may also be made by filling out a form and marking the pages (start and finish) desired with a bookmark. Few personal items are permitted inside (except notebook, pencil, small handbag, etc.). Backpacks and such must be stored in lockers provided outside the entrance to the reading room.

Facilities

Card Catalogs: Yes, for Chinese collections indexed in Japanese and Chinese (pinyin) form.
Computers: 2 older Macintosh G3 computers for access to library database.
Reading Room: Yes, around a dozen tables, some reserved for special and rare materials (covered in a green cloth).
Photocopy Machines: None, photocopies are requested by application.
Photocopy Prices: See link below.
Vending Machines: 1st Floor, down the steps
Nearby Food: Several Convenience stores, Bento shop on corner, much more near Komagome station

Collections of Note

The library contains a huge collection of materials related to Asia. Many of these are listed on their httpsite. The collections can be searched online (Unicode site) but Chinese must be entered using simplified characters (or a * for characters not in the GB simplified Chinese encoding). Other Related Links

Photocopy Prices: http://www.toyo-bunko.or.jp/news/FukushaRyokin.pdf
Photocopy Request Form: http://www.toyo-bunko.or.jp/news/CopyApplyForm.pdf

Other Notes, Comments and Experiences

The librarians were very helpful and friendly. The frequent need to fill out applications for entrance, photocopies, and material requests is taxing but not uncommon in such libraries. Photocopies were paid for in a separate room across the hall from the reading room, first door on the right. -K. M. Lawson (Last Visit: September 15, 2003)

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