Yanagisawa Bunko, Special library and house archive in Yamatokoriyama, Nara Prefecture, Japan.
Yanagisawa Bunko is a family archive and special library housed within the grounds of Kōriyama Castle in Nara Prefecture. The collection holds thousands of historical documents spanning several centuries, including calligraphy and poetry pieces.
The library was established in autumn 1960 on the Bishamon kuruwa of Kōriyama Castle by Yasutsugu Yanagisawa, then head of the former ruling family of Kōriyama Domain, with local supporters. It occupies the former Yanagisawa count family villa built in 1905. Its holdings include the Rakushidō nenroku, a chronicle of Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, and domain records from the family's time as lords of Kōfu in Kai Province before their transfer to Yamatokoriyama.
The collection bears the Yanagisawa family name, preserving their personal writings and objects from centuries past. Walking through the exhibitions, you encounter details of how this powerful family lived and thought.
The library is open from 9:00 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:30. It closes on Mondays, national holidays, and other designated days. It is a 15-minute walk from Kōriyama Station on the JR Yamato Line.
The library building itself is the former Kōriyama villa of the Yanagisawa count family, built in 1905 on the castle grounds. The collection also holds the Rakushidō Nenroku, a chronicle of the life of Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, and domain records from the family's earlier years as lords of Kōfu in Kai Province.
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