Welcome to the Japanese Studies Research Guide.
This guide is to assist you access mainly useful Japanese language resources for Japanese Studies with tips from your Japanese Studies Librarian.
If you have any questions, feedback or need further assistance, please contact your Japanese Studies Librarian at cs3948@columbia.edu or request a research consultation. Purchase request can be also sent via CLIO.
The Japanese Collection at Columbia University, founded in 1927 by Dr. Ryusaku Tsunoda, has since developed into one of the outstanding Japanese collections in the country. Dr. Tsunoda envisioned that the collection of Japanese materials would help foster a sound relationship between the United States and Japan that would be based on accurate and ever-deepening knowledge. He succeeded in convincing a number of both American and Japanese friends of the importance of his undertaking. The first response from Japan was an initial gift of some 5,000 books from the Imperial Household as well as from groups of Japanese financiers, industrialists, statesmen, academics, and private citizens.
The Collection's strength lies in the humanities and the social sciences with substantial holdings in literature, history, philosophy and religion, especially Buddhism, fine and performing arts, business and economics, and East Asian studies. These resources are supported by a collection of secondary materials in Western languages.
The most up-to-date annual collection statistics is published in the February issue of the Journal of East Asian Libraries.
Due to necessary upgrades, the Starr Library is currently closed (collections and services are still accessible). Read more.
Temporary office for Japanese Studies Librarian is at 307 Butler Library.
February 2025