This exhibition presents a significant collection of Saga-bon, the movable-type printed books that played a pivotal role in the history of Japanese literature and book production. It features an extensive selection of these elegant and meticulously crafted works, offering a rare opportunity to appreciate their beauty and the sophisticated artistry involved in their creation. We invite all to come and enjoy exploring this one-of-a-kind collection of Saga-bon.

Concept

Saga-bon are said to be among the most beautiful books in Japanese publishing history, with their decorative and colourful paper, shimmering patterns, innovative illustrations, and elegant typeface. This series of books, which vividly depicts the world of Japanese classical literature, is thought to have been published by Suminokura Soan, a wealthy merchant from the Sagano district in Kyoto. Crafted with extraordinary care and sophisticated techniques, the Saga-bon are true works of art, reflecting the passion and curiosity for bookmaking that flourished among people celebrating the dawn of a peaceful new era in the early Edo period.

This exhibition centers on the collection of the Iinumakannon Enpukuji in Chōshi, Chiba, which boasts one of the world’s largest collections of Saga-bon, alongside rare books from Keio University’s holdings. Visitors are invited to experience the beauty and appeal of Saga-bon, and learn more about present-day efforts to further understand these enigmatic books.

Related Programs
Open to everyone *admission is free, but participants must sign up in advance

Symposium
Iinumakannon Enpukuji and Saga-bon (tentative title)

Date & Time｜October 4 (Sat.), 13:30–
Venue｜Keio University Mita Campus, East Research Building 8F Hall
Speakers｜Shosei Hirahata (Chief Priest, Iinumakannon Enpukuji)
・・・・・//Hiroaki Takagi (Part-time Lecturer, Faculty of Literature, Arts and Cultural Studies, Kindai University)
・・・・・//Dan Koakimoto (Professor, Faculty of Letters, Department of Japanese, Hosei University)
・・・・・//Takahiro Sasaki (Professor, Keio Institute of Oriental Classics [Shido Bunko])

Talk Event
The Temptation of Saga-bon (tentative title)

Date & Time｜November 27 (Thu.), 18:15–
Speakers｜Hisaki Matsumoto (Publisher, Graphic Designer)
・・・・・//Takahiro Sasaki (Professor, Keio Institute of Oriental Classics [Shido Bunko])

・・・

Gallery Talks

Gallery talks by Takahiro Sasaki (Professor, Keio Institute of Oriental Classics [Shido Bunko]), co-curator of the exhibition.

Date & Time｜(1) October 20 (Mon.), 14:00–14:45
・・・・・・////(2) November 15 (Sat.), 14:00–14:45
・・・・・・////(3) November 28 (Fri.), 14:00–14:45

*There will be more programs related to the exhibition. Please check our website for the latest information.
*The events take place in Japanese only.

Main Exhibits (partial diagram)

1. The Tales of Ise (Ise Monogatari), second variant Saga-bon edition, published in Keichō 13 (1608), first volume, 2 volumes extant
2. The Tales of Ise (Ise Monogatari), published around the Genna-Kan’ei era (early 17th century),　 2 volumes in 2 books
3. The Tales of Ise (Ise Monogatari), first variant Saga-bon edition, published in Keichō 13 (1608),　 2 volumes in 2 books, formerly owned by mother of Tokugawa Yoshinao
4. Essays in Idleness (Tsurezuregusa), first variant Saga-bon edition, published in the Keichō era, first volume, 2 volumes extant
5. Hōjōki, published in the Keichō era, 1 book in Tetsuyōsō (multi-section binding)
6. Illustrated Scroll of the Origin of the Kannon of Iinumasan, painted by Kanō Tomohito Masanari, Meireki 2 (1656)

* All works are from the Iinumakannon Enpukuji Collection

Concurrent Exhibition
point of view ‒‒ Kazuo Okazaki  
 Keio Museum Commons, East Annex Stair Landing, Keio University Mita Campus

Organized by Keio Museum Commons and Iinumakannon Enpukuji

Cooperation from the Keio Institute of Oriental Classics (Shido Bunko) and Mita Media Center (Keio University Library)

Co-curated by Takahiro Sasaki (Professor, Keio Institute of Oriental Classics)

Supported by Yasuyuki Sasaki (Associate Professor, Faculty of Letters, Keio University)