Japanese

Greeting

Thank you for accessing the Tokyo Heritage Week 2022 Tokyo Metropolitan Library Exhibition, "Compelled to Collect: From the Scrapbooks of Dedicated Collectors." The Special Collections Room of the Tokyo Metropolitan Central Library holds a variety of materials including classical documents, nishiki-e or colored woodblock prints, and old maps. Each year we present an exhibition of materials from this Room based on a theme specially selected for Tokyo Heritage Week.
This year we are showcasing the world of hobbyists and collectors through the theme of scrapbooks: more specifically, a type of scrapbook known in Japanese as harikomi-chō. The Special Collections Room has a wide variety of harikomi-chō reflecting all kinds of tastes and interests. Their pages contain an immensely diverse collection of paper-based media including ukiyo-e prints, calendars, store flyers, station lunchbox covers, and matchbox labels. They have a wealth of design elements and are visually attractive and entertaining, as well as offering valuable insights into the social climate and trends of the times.
In parallel with this exhibition we present a "Virtual Tour of Edo Castle through Illustrations and Architectural Drawings." a selection of architectural drawings and other items from the Materials on the Construction of Edo Castle (the KORA Household), which is officially designated as an Important Cultural Property. The tour covers the main tower and donjon of Edo Castle along with Momijiyama and the Fukiage Garden.
The exhibition is being held in the same digital format as last year, using zoom-in images and other digital functions to complement the accessible explanations of each exhibit. Please make the most of this opportunity to explore the fascinating world of collectors.
We would be delighted if this exhibition brings visitors an even stronger sense of connection with our Important Cultural Properties and other holdings in the Special Collections Room.

October 2022
Director, Tokyo Metropolitan Central Library

• Please click here! "Virtual Tour of Edo Castle through Illustrations and Architectural Drawings."

Welcome to the World of Scrapbooks

The Japanese term harikomi-chō denotes a type of scrapbook in which collected items are affixed to sheets of paper that are bound together in book form. The collections assembled in harikomi-chō by people "compelled to collect" are extremely varied and include ukiyo-e prints, ranking lists, calendars, wrapping papers, and ink rubbings.
Most of the scrapbooks featured in this exhibition are drawn from the Kaga Collection. Some are edited compilations of items collected personally by their former owner, Kaga Toyosaburō.

※Title background image from "Some Sarasa gire (Dyed Chintz Textiles)" (Kaga Collection 5460)