Keio Museum Commons Exhibition (March 17–May 16)The Century Akao Collection × Institute of Oriental Classics (Shido Bunko) Exhibition "Adventures of a Bibliophile Hunter: An Investigative Record of Materials Formerly in the Collection of Shigemi Komatsu I" Now Open—An Exhibition Delving into the All-Too-Unique Collection of the Founder of Paleography, Who Poured His Extraordinary Passion into Exploring the Culture of "Writing"—

February 10, 2025

Keio University

The Century Akao Collection, donated to Keio University in 2021, includes the former collection of paleographer Shigemi Komatsu (1925–2010), comprising approximately 15,000 books. The most distinctive feature of this collection is its unparalleled breadth of Japanese classic books related to the act of "writing."

Currently, the Institute of Oriental Classics (Shido Bunko), an affiliated research institute of Keio University, is re-examining and cataloging this vast collection. This exhibition will introduce a part of Shigemi Komatsu's all-too-unique book collection, along with the process of investigating these classic books, which has been full of surprises. Let's venture into a forest of varied books: rare items, common ones, those once owned by famous people, some with no title anywhere, and mysterious items that are not well understood.

Dates: Monday, March 17–Friday, May 16, 2025 (Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays)

Special Openings: Saturday, March 29; Saturday, April 19

Temporary Closures: Monday, March 24; Monday, April 14; Monday, April 28–Tuesday, May 6

Venue: Keio Museum Commons Exhibition Hall (East Annex, Mita Campus)

Hours: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM

Admission: Free, no reservation required

Details: The Century Akao Collection × Institute of Oriental Classics (Shido Bunko) Adventures of a Bibliophile Hunter: An Investigative Record of Materials Formerly in the Collection of Shigemi Komatsu I | Keio Museum Commons

Related Event: Gallery talk by Wataru Ichinohe (Professor, Institute of Oriental Classics (Shido Bunko)), the curator of this exhibition

1. Saturday, April 19, 2:00 PM–3:00 PM; 2. Tuesday, May 13, 2:00 PM–3:00 PM

Related Project: Small exhibition "Buddhist Statues from the Century Akao Collection (tentative title)"

*Please check the website for the latest information.

Please see below for the full press release.