Iwase Bunko Library, Japanese book museum and library in Nishio, Japan.
The Iwase Bunko is a library and museum in Nishio that holds more than 80,000 volumes including rare Japanese books, materials from China and Korea, and texts on history, literature, and religion. The building combines the original brick structure from the early 20th century with a modern extension completed in 2003.
The institution was founded in 1908 by merchant Yasuke Iwase as a private collection reflecting his passion for Japanese and East Asian literature. The original brick building survived the 1945 Great Mikawa Earthquake and was later designated as an Important Cultural Property of the nation.
The library preserves important Japanese manuscripts such as Emperor Gonara's handwritten copy from the Muromachi period, which visitors can encounter as part of classical Japanese scholarship. These works reflect the historical connections between Japan and broader East Asian learning traditions.
The building is accessible from nearby train stations and offers parking for visitors arriving by car. Access to the various collection areas is straightforward, though some sections may require separate entry.
The collection contains a rare volume from the 19th century documenting surgical procedures performed under anesthesia, representing one of the earliest known medical records of this kind in Japan. This work reveals how advanced medical knowledge was at that time.
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