Detail: Tenri Central Library, in Japan, holds
an extraordinary collection of rare
books, including manuscripts and
documents, about 1,830,000, roughly two-
thirds of which are Japanese, Korean and
Chinese books, and one-third Western,
including Arabic and African books.
2013 will see J400 an international
celebration of the 400th anniversary of
Japan- UK relations with a series of
cultural events planned in Japan and the
U.K throughout the year. This exhibition
is to be part of that cultural programme
intending to present together and show
for the first time in this country some
of the finest and most interesting
Japanese antiquarian books, manuscripts
and documents held by the Tenri Central
Library. Presenting the public with an
accessible insight into the historical
relationship between Japan and the U.K.
and encouraging a greater understanding
of some of the shared knowledge,
interests and experiences and the
influence of the previous 400 years on
this relationship today.
The exhibition will have a programme of
public events and demonstrations
throughout April, May and June to
introduce and explain some of the key
themes in the exhibition to new
audiences – these will include Gagaku,
Tea Ceremony, calligraphy, Sake tasting,
origami, and lectures using the
exhibition as their setting.