Inherited Memories of Knowledge: The Special Collections Preserved by the Mita Media Center (Keio University Library) Rare Book Room

The Rare Book Room, located within the Mita Media Center (Keio University Library), was established in 1982 with the opening of the Keio University Library (New Building). Prior to that, rare books were managed in vaults and other locations in the current The Old Library, but the construction of the new building provided an opportunity to establish a more specialized management system. The vast collection of materials housed here has been gathered over a long history through donations from Keio University alumni, recommendations from faculty members, and selections by librarians.

Today, it manages a diverse archive that conveys history as a "Special Collection" that goes beyond the framework of "rare books," including diaries and manuscripts of modern business leaders.

While rare books are often thought of as being out of reach, they are actually quite accessible to students. In classes such as those in the Faculty of Letters, "Rare Book Utilization Classes" are held where faculty members use actual rare books in their teaching. Furthermore, for the purpose of writing a graduation thesis or for research, students themselves can view the materials after consulting with their academic advisor and making a reservation in advance. More detailed information on how to use the room is available on the library's official website, so please take a look.

One of the highlights of the Rare Book Room is the collection of "The Tale of Genji." Of particular note are the "bridal books" that daimyo of the Edo period gave to their daughters. The complete set of 54 volumes, housed in a magnificent book chest decorated with gold leaf and beautiful ornaments, radiates a brilliance like a work of art.

What is interesting is that these bridal books were significant more for "owning something magnificent" than for "reading." Even if there were transcription errors, they were sometimes left as they were in favor of outward beauty. However, this particular copy contains colophons related to collation (the process of comparing multiple books to verify or correct differences in the text) from the early Muromachi period, making it a rare and valuable document. On the other hand, the rare books convey the playfulness and diversity of the book culture of the time to the present day, such as the "Mame Genji" (miniature Genji) that are small enough to fit in the palm of a hand, and Nara-ehon (illustrated books) of "Urashima Taro" with a plot different from the modern version, such as a setting where the turtle is not bullied.

Why is it necessary to go out of one's way to touch the "actual object" in today's increasingly digital world? Takashi Kuramochi, who is in charge of Special Collections at the Mita Media Center, says that the significance of touching rare books lies in "experiencing history as something personal."

For example, when you see a "handwritten document" such as a letter actually written by Date Masamune, whom you might have thought of only as a figure in a textbook, you can feel a tangible sense that "this person really lived." Rare books are by no means part of a distant world; they are continuous with the time in which we live. An encounter with the real thing provides an opportunity to reframe history and the stories of others as one's own story.

This autumn, an event will be held to open the Rare Book Room's finest materials to the public. The "36th Keio University Library Rare Book Exhibition" is scheduled to be held at the Maruzen Marunouchi Main Store for one week starting October 7, 2026.

The theme this time is "Slow Reading: The Body and Health as Told by Medieval and Renaissance Books." It will provide a luxurious time to gaze intently at Western books related to the history of science, the universe, and the body in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and to lose oneself in thought. Why not experience the precious materials that Keio University has continued to protect and feel the flow of eternal history?

The emergence of mobile phones, the promotion of digital transformation (DX), and the evolution of AI. Many convenient tools have appeared, and our lives have become significantly more convenient compared to the past. However, it is my personal impression as a reporter that while the modern age has become too convenient, it has also become somewhat inconvenient in other ways. Efficiency is something that has no end. You finish something quickly, only to start on something else. It may be human nature to want to use the time saved to finish something else as things move faster and faster. In this way, we exhaust our hearts and minds. Through this interview, I felt once again that taking the time to stop in the flow of time and reflect on the past is necessary for people living in the modern age.

*This article was created based on information as of 2026.