Special Exhibition
- The Tohoku University Library owns a number of materials of high cultural and academic value.
- The Main Library hosts special exhibitions every year to highlight some of these rare collections.
The Soseki Collection - Background of his Creation -
Special Exhibition for the 100th anniversary of Soseki's death
- Date
- October 3 - November 11, 2016
- Venue
- Tohoku University Main Library, 1F Multi-purpose Room
- Description
- Tohoku University Library holds the Soseki Collection which consists of about 3,000 books collected by Natsume Soseki, one of the greatest literary figure in Japan, and his manuscripts. This exhibition marks the centennial of Soseki's death.
We exhibit selected materials from the Soseki Collection that are usually not open to the public. What kinds of books were on the bookshelf of this great Japanese author? Please come to check it.
Special lecture
(Admission free, Pre-registration needed, 300 seats)
- Date
- October 22, 2016
- Venue
- M206, Multimedia Research Hall, Tohoku University Kawauchi campus
- Description
- "Possession of the modern age and Soseki"
- By Kang Sang-jung (professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo, director of Kumamoto prefectural theater) *Lecture in Japanese
- Registration
- By e-mail:
- lib-som(at)grp.tohoku.ac.jp
- *Substitute an @ symbol for (at).
- *Send us an e-mail titled "Registration for special lecture" with your name.
- * The registration will be closed as soon as the number of participants reaches the limit.
- (Contact: General Affairs Section, 022-795-5908)
2015
Special Exhibition for 150 anniversary of Kokichi Kano:
"The World of Kano Collection - Kokichi Kano and his Collection E
"The World of Kano Collection - Kokichi Kano and his Collection E
- Date
- October 5 - November 3, 2015
- Venue
- Tohoku University Main Library, 1F Multi-purpose Room (free admission)
- Description
- Kano Collection is worldly known as "a treasury of Edo Studies". The exhibition is held in commemoration of 150 years anniversary of Dr. Kokichi Kano (1865-1942), the former owner of the collection as a private library. The exhibition is focused on the extensiveness of Kano Collection, and a large number of materials which usually cannot be seen will be displayed.
Special lecture: free admission
- Date
- October 24, 2015
- Venue
- Tohoku University Main Library, Global Learning Room
- Description
- Part I: Kokichi Kano and Tohoku University
- By Osamu Sonehara, Assistant Professor of The Center for Academic Resources and Activities, Tohoku University
- Part II: Kokichi Kano's Criteria for Collection and Academic Characteristics
- By Akira Isobe, Professor of The Center for Northeast Asian Studies, Tohoku University
- Date
- October 24, 2015 at 15:50 (after the lecture)
- Description
- Invitation to the Kano Collection on site. The tour starts after the lecture. The registration is not required. After the tour, the guided exhibition viewing may be conducted upon request.
- Date
- October 24, 2015 at 15:50 (after the lecture)
- Description
- Invitation to the exhibition with the explanation by the guide. Those who want to join, please come to the exhibition room (i.e. multi-purpose room) beside the 1st floor entrance by 15:50.
Special Tour to the Kano Collection
Guided Exhibition Viewing
The Centennial Anniversary Special Exhibition Brilliant Collection: Gift for the Future
- Date
- October 7 - November 5, 2011
- Venue
- Tohoku University Main Library, First Floor Exhibition Room ( free admission )
- Description
- The Tohoku University Library was established in 1911, four years after the founding of Tohoku Imperial University. Despite the fact that the Library was damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011, support from inside and outside of the university and from student volunteers prompted the recovery and we were able to celebrate the centennial anniversary on June 14. Please enjoy the rare collections that have survived wars and earthquakes.
Special lecture: free admission
- Date
- October 30, 2011
- Venue
- Tohoku University Main Library, Building 2, Fourth Floor Meeting Room
- Description
- "Edo Japan was an Empire: Japan to European Eyes" by Arata Hirakawa, Professor at the Center for Northeast Asian Studies, Tohoku University
Visiting the Roots of Cool Japan: Pastimes of Edo People
- Date
- October 8 - November 4, 2010
- Venue
- Tohoku University Main Library, First Floor Exhibition Room ( free admission )
- Description
- Modern Japanese popular culture includes manga, anime, video games, idols, video and art, as well as Japanese food and lifestyles. These icons of Japanese popular culture are collectively promoted as “Cool Japan Eand attract worldwide attention. The roots of Cool Japan extend back to the Edo period’s popular culture. Take a trip back in time with this exhibition and imagine the culture and townscape of Edo through interesting exhibits including popular illustrated books, picture scrolls, and portraits of kabuki actors.
Special lecture: free admission
- Date
- October 16, 2010
- Venue
- Tohoku University Main Library, Building 2, Fourth Floor Meeting Room
- Description
- "How to Create an Edo Novel: A Case Study of Kyokutei Bakin's Takao Senjimon" by Hidemi Ishikawa, Professor at the Graduate School of International Cultural Studies, Tohoku University
Edo Science: When "Warm" Science was Born
- Date
- October 23 - November 24, 2009
- Venue
- Tohoku University Main Library, First Floor Exhibition Room ( free admission )
- Description
- The modern science that was introduced to Japan from the West during the Edo period was considered frontier science for Japan. It developed into a study of daily ordinary things around people and conveyed the warmth of humans, and attracted people's attention. This exhibition highlights how Edo scientists studied modern science by displaying selected materials from our rare collections including the Kano Collection, which is one of the best Edo archives proudly located at the Tohoku University Library. Enjoy the "warm" world of karakuri, astronomy, erekiteru, natural history, Western studies, and medicine from the Edo period.
Special lecture: free admission
- Date
- October 26, 2009
- Venue
- Tohoku University Main Library, Building 2, Fourth Floor Meeting Room
- Description
- "Science Theater: Between Science and Show" by Tadashi Yoshida, Professor Emeritus at Tohoku University
- Date
- November 8, 2009
- Venue
- Tohoku University Centennial Hall (Kawauchi Hagi Hall), Second Floor Meeting Room
- Description
- "Astronomer, Toita Yasutake from Sendai Domain and his Legendary Western Calendar" by Kiyoshi Kurosu (Executive Member of the Sendai Folk Studies Society)
Happy Math: Welcome to the World of Wasan, Japanese Mathematics!
- Date
- October 25 - November 24, 2008
- Venue
- Miyagi Prefectural Library
- Description
- Wasan is the unique Japanese mathematics that developed in Edo Japan. The exhibition features a wasan pioneer, Seki Takakazu, to commemorate the 300th anniversary of his death and exhibits major materials that represent his work including "Seki School Wasan License" addressed to Hayashi Tsuruichi from the collection of 23,000 books in the Tohoku University Wasan Collection. A number of materials from the hosting Miyagi Prefectural Library's collection are also exhibited to help you understand the history and content of Japanese mathematics and its connection with surveying techniques. Get out of the daily bustle and immerse yourself in the tranquility of the old-time mathematics of the Edo period wasan at this venue beautiful blessed with nature.
Special lecture: Miyagi Prefectural Library
- Date
- October 25, 2008
- Description
- "Mystery of an Arithmetic Girl" by Hiroko Endo, children's literature writer
- Date
- November 8, 2008
- Description
- "Edo People who Enjoyed Wasan" by Tamotsu Tsuchikura, Professor Emeritus at Tohoku University
- Date
- November 8, 2008
- Description
- "Enjoy from Different Perspectives: Wasan Math Problems" by Shinsuke Yorozu, Professor at Miyagi University of Education
Time Travel with Picture Postcards: from the Picture Postcard Collection of the Kano Collection
- Date
- The 1st session: July 4 - September 30, 2007
- Venue
- Tohoku University Library
- Date
- The 2nd session: November 2 - December 9, 2007
- Venue
- Sendai City Museum (as part of the special exhibition "Tohoku University Treasures")
- Description
- Let us introduce the Picture Postcard Collection from the Kano Collection to mark the centennial anniversary of Tohoku University and highlight the picture postcard boom that occurred 100 years ago. Get a glimpse into the figurative art of picture postcards that the Edo people created. We hope the collection helps you understand the significance of the picture postcard materials in today's world.
*The special exhibition will be held at Open Campus 2007 as well as the Centennial Anniversary Festival.
Edo Play: Eco-Leisure Fun!
- Date
- November 3 - 14, 2006
- Venue
- Sendai Mediatheque
- Description
- The exhibition features entertainment cultures of the Edo period under the theme of ecology. Cultural resources are displayed in a fun and friendly manner to emphasize the familiar activity of "playing." Rare materials from the Kano Collection, the repository of Edo studies, as well as a collection from the Miyagi Prefectural Library will give you a chance to think about the relationship between modern lifestyles and ecology.
Special lecture: Sendai Mediatheque
- Date
- November 20, 2006
- Description
- "Edo Play" by Hiroshi Ozawa, Professor and General Manager of City History at Edo Tokyo Museum
"Edo Gardening" by Koichiro Aoki, landscape gardener
Edo Gastronomy: Back to the Roots of Slow Food
- Date
- November 18 - 27, 2005
- Venue
- Shiramatsu Loft Hall
- Description
- A number of materials from the Kano Collection, the repository of Edo studies, are exhibited to feature the food culture of the Edo period. We hope this exhibition gives you a chance to visualize the food culture back then and think about our modern diet as well.
Special lecture: Sendai Mediatheque
- Date
- November 20, 2006
- Description
- "Food and Parties for Edo People" by Eisuke Ishikawa, writer
Special symposium: Sendai Mediatheque
- Date
- November 20, 2006
- Description
- "Edo Gastronomy and Slow Food"
Hiroshi Ozawa, Professor and General Manager of City History at the Edo Tokyo Museum
Nobuo Harada, Professor at the School of Asia 21, Kokushikan University
Yohei Omori, Chief Director of the Documents Study Team, NHK Archives
Hirotoshi Wakou, President of Slow Food Japan
Edo Math: Wasan is Hot Now!
- Date
- October 29 - November 7, 2004
- Description
- The exhibition highlights major materials that represent wasan, or Japanese mathematics, from the collection of 22,000 books in the largest Wasan Collection in the world owned by Tohoku University. It will help you understand the history and content of Japanese mathematics and its connection with surveying techniques.
Special symposium
- Description
- "Wasan and Sendai: Efforts toward a Revival of Wasan in Modern Day Japan" by Tamotsu Tsuchikura, Professor Emeritus at Tohoku University, Ichinoseki City Museum, Tohoku University Library, Miyagi First Girls High School, Edo Crafting Research Team for Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Priority Areas
Special lecture
- Description
- "Wasan Mathematicians in Edo Society" by Ken-ichi Sato, Assistant Professor at University of Electro-Communications
"Wasan and Surveying: The Life of Ono Tomogoro, Mathematician at the End of the Edo Period" by Fu Narumi, writer
Litterateurs in Meiji and Taisho Periods: Natsume Soseki and his People
- Date
- October 31 - November 9, 2003
- Description
- The exhibition introduces Natsume Soseki and various people around him by featuring his life and works, his encounters and interactions with Masaoka Shiki, his friendships with Doi Bansui, Kano Kokichi, and other writers of the time, the influence of Raphael von Koeber and Lu Xun, and his relationship with his students including Komiya Toyotaka, Abe Jiro, Terada Torahiko, Morita Sohei, Suzuki Miekichi, and Akutagawa Ryunosuke.
Special lecture
- Description
- "Natsume Soseki, Masaoka Shiki, and Doi Bansui in 1900" by Nobuhiro Sato, Professor at the Graduate School of Arts and Letters, Tohoku University
Special exhibition: Natsume Soseki
- Date
- April 8 to 14, 2003
- Description
- The exhibition introduces the life of Natsume Soseki based on the materials in the Natsume Collection. It also introduces newly acquired resources including a letter that Natsume sent to his wife, Kyoko, when he was studying in the United Kingdom.
End of the Edo Period: Black Ships and the Opening of Japan to the World
- Date
- October 29 - November 7, 2002
- Description
- This exhibition is the last of the ongoing Edo series. The critical series of events toward the end of the Edo period, including the decline of the Shogunate and arrival of Matthew Perry's squadron, are featured from various perspectives based on materials from the Kano Collection.
Special lecture
- Description
- "Introduction of Western Gunnery at the End of the Edo Period" by Tadashi Yoshida, Professor at the Center for Northeast Asian Studies, Tohoku University
Glorious Edo and the Shadow of a Foreign Country
- Date
- November 1 - 9, 2001
- Description
- The exhibition features the Bunka-Bunsei era in the late Edo period and displays a number of rare materials owned by the University Library to highlight the people's culture that enjoyed the blessings of peace and imminent threats from the north.
Special lecture
- Description
- "Information on the North and Great Edo" by Isao Kikuchi, Professor at Miyagi Gakuin Women's University
Edo Culture in the 18th Century
- Date
- November 2 - 10, 2000
- Description
- The development of the Edo culture during the mid-Edo period in the 18th century is highlighted with materials on Western studies, gesaku literature, and ukiyo-ehon picture books owned by the University Library.
Special lecture
- Description
- "Passion for Natural History in the Edo Period" by Michio Suzuki, Assistant Professor of Language and Cultural Studies
1999
The Beginning of the Edo Culture
- Date
- October 29 - November 5, 1999
- Description
- The exhibition features materials on the society, customs, scholarship, and culture of the early Edo period. Akou-gishi-related materials as well as Miyagi-related picture postcards published during the Meiji, Taisho, and early Showa periods are exhibited.
Special lecture
- Description
- "Bushido and Confucianism" Yuichi Asano, Professor at the Graduate School of International Culture Studies, Tohoku University
1998
Rare Materials Exhibition
- Date
- October 30 - November 6, 1998
- Description
- Major rare materials from the University Library collection are exhibited together. The exhibits highlight national treasures, Nara ehon picture books, historical materials related to the Date family, manuscripts of prestigious families in modern Sendai, historical materials about the Akita family, and Euclid's Elements of Geometry.
Special lecture
- Description
- "The Date Family Riot was the Beginning" by Arata Hirakawa, Professor at the Center for Northeast Asian Studies, Tohoku University
Past exhibitions
- Exhibition catalog
A list of the contents of exhibitions and a catalog of the exhibited materials from 1963 to 1972