National Institute of Japanese Literature

The , or NIJL, was established in May of 1972. Its primary purpose is to preserve manuscripts and books relating to the study of Japanese literature. Original texts and microfilms of these originals are stored in the institute's archives, although a project is underway to make digital copies of all these materials. The NIJL provides several useful tools for the scholar of Japanese literature, including a compilation of research published yearly in the journal Kokubungaku Nenkan (国文学年刊). It has also developed several on-line databases.

History of the Institute

In 1966 the Convention of Japanese Scholarship advised the government of Japan to found what at the time was referred to as 'Center for Japanese studies and Japanese Literature'. Appropriations were approved by the Ministiry of Education in 1970, and the National Institute of Japanese Literature was built in 1972. The Ministry of Education Historical Archives which already existed at the site were incorporated into the Institution. In 1987 a microfilm and electronic database search system was made available. In 1992 Japanese Literature Essay Online Database was first created, the Institute is continually working to expand these databases.

Research and Publications at the Institute

The NIJL's primary purposes are to perform and publish research on Japanese literature. Its research is divided into four main areas of interest: (1) research on original copies of Japanese literary materials; (2) research on the...
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