NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JAPANESE LITERATURE

The National Institute of Japanese Literature (Kokubungaku kenkyu shiryokan) is a research institute created in 1972 for the purpose of conducting and publishing research on Japanese literature. It also preserves manuscripts and books pertaining to Japanese literature. Along with housing a large number of classical writings and special collections, it contains over 180,000 microfilm and digital collections of manuscripts and other materials owned by libraries, shrines, and temples. Many of these materials are made available to the public through online databases, which are constantly being expanded. Originally located in the Gotanda area of Tokyo, the institute recently relocated to new facilities in the Tokyo suburb of Tachikawa.

See also AOZORA BUNKO; DIET LIBRARY; MUSEUM OF MODERN JAPANESE LITERATURE.