The Century Akao Collection, donated to Keio University in 2021, includes approximately 15,000 volumes formerly owned by Shigemi Komatsu (1925–2010), a scholar of ancient Japanese calligraphy. The collection's most distinctive feature is the wide range of Japanese classics related to the human activity of writing.
Currently, the Keio Institute of Oriental Classics (Shido Bunko) is in the process of reexamining and cataloguing this vast collection of books. This exhibition introduces a part of Shigemi Komatsu's unique collection of books, and takes visitors though the surprising process of researching classical books. Come and enter the vast world of books: some rare, some common, some printed, some written with a brush, some once owned by famous people, some with no title anywhere, and some mysterious and unexplained.
Overview
Exhibition Title: Century Akao Collection × Institute of Oriental Classics (Shido Bunko)
Date: March 17 (Mon.) to May 16 (Fri.) 2025 [Closed on weekends and public holidays]
*Special open days: March 29 (Sat.) & April 19 (Sat.)
**Closed on: March 24 (Mon.), April 14 (Mon.), April 28 (Mon.) – May 6 (Tue.)
Venue: Keio Museum Commons, East Annex, Keio University Mita Campus
Open hours: 11:00 – 18:00
Admission: Free admission. No booking required.
Gallery Talk: The exhibition organizer, Professor Wataru Ichinohe of the Institute of Oriental Classics, will give a gallery talk on the following days.
April 19 (Sat.) 14:00 – 15:00 & May 13 (Tue.) 14:00 – 15:00
*Please check the website for details and updates on the related programs.
https://kemco.keio.ac.jp/en/
