Reports on Research Surveys by Year

September 12-13, 2011

The 1st Survey of the Siebold Collection in the Department of East Asian Studies Library at Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Conducted by National Museum of Japanese History (Miyasaka, "Alexander and Heinrich Team")

Location surveyed: Department of East Asian Studies Library, Ruhr-Universität Bochum (Bochum, Germany)

Local contacts: Prof. Regine Mathias (Director, East Asian Studies), Dr. Stefan Köck (Coordinating Librarian)

Participants: Hiroshi Kurushima (NMJH), Toru Katsuta (NMJH), Miki Sakuraba (NMJH), Masahide Miyasaka (Nagasaki Junshin Catholic University), Yoko Matsui (Historiographical Institute, The University of Tokyo)

Surveying archical materials at Ruhr-Universität Bochum

By comparing originals of the library's Siebold-related holdings with the Acta Sieboldiana III catalog, the team was able to develop a general understanding of the collection as a whole. Survey team members were also able to view materials they requested based on Acta Sieboldiana III. We confirmed the condition of the materials and photographs of some items were taken by Katsuda. The team also viewed photographs previously taken by Prof. Katsunori Miyazaki and compared them against the originals. Materials in the library's collection from the main listing in Acta Sieboldiana III were also surveyed and photographed. By verifying the locations of originals, the teams was also able to identify and make detailed records distinguishing materials held at the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin and materials without known locations.

(Text: Sakuraba)

Photo: Surveying archical materials at Ruhr-Universität Bochum (Prof. Mathias and team members)