Modern Japanese Political History Materials Room (Kensei Shiryoshitsu), National Diet Library, Tokyo
http://www.ndl.go.jp/jp/service/tokyo/constitutional/
Date of trip:
February 2014
Source: Takahiro Yamamoto, t.yamamoto1@lse.ac.uk
Location:
1-10-1 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Japan 100-8924
http://ndl.go.jp/jp/service/tokyo/route.html
Getting started:
This is a room within the national diet library that stores private papers of the Meiji leaders and documents relating to the US occupation period.
In order to use the archive you first need a reader’s card to the NDL itself. This is done in the Main Building (Honkan) of the NDL. At the entrance you find an issue desk; fill in the application form http://ndl.go.jp/jp/information/tourokushinsei.pdf which you can also get on the spot and show an ID – a passport will do. Once you register you pick up your card and enter the New Building (Shinkan) next door. Kensei Shiryoshitsu is two floors above the ground level.
When you arrive at Kensei Shiryoshitsu you have to fill in another application form for a reader’s card for this room. This time you need to write down the research topic. It does not need to refer to specific documents and you are by no means bound by what you write here. Just a formality.
How to get there:
The nearest metro station is Nagatacho; get to the exit 6. Or you could walk from Kokkai Gijido Mae.
Language: Japanese
Opening Hours: Mon to Sat 9:30am to 5pm
General working conditions:
They have a dozen or so microfilm readers attached to PCs.
Consultation:
You can check out up to twenty items at any time. There is no limit on the number of total requests per day.
In order to make a photocopy from microfilms you need to save it as a PDF file and send it to the printing service. The exact steps are explained in the sheet you find at the desk. When you print out, make sure that the total page of the printing job does not exceed 100. When you pick up the documents and pay at the counter on the ground level, you can make another printing request. Printing cost is 26 yen per sheet.
Policy on technology:
Laptops allowed, digital cameras not allowed. Power plugs provided. No wifi.
In order to make copies of manuscript documents you have to apply at the issue desk in the room. Because they will make a negative of the document first and then print it, one page could cost you several hundred yen and takes around two weeks to get to you.
Particularities:
One of the shortcomings of this library is that you have to go to a different floor to pick up photocopies;
Etc:
If you want to avoid underwhelming canteen food, you should go to Nagatacho metro station. Not a lot of choice there either, but that’s the best option you have. Otherwise bring your own lunch.
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.