Buddhist Art Library

The Buddhist Art Library was founded in 1980 to facilitate the creation, collection, organization, and conservation of research and resources contributing to knowledge of Buddhist art. In addition, it maintains and makes available to the public a strong collection of publications and photography. Since 1989, the books, journals, and photographs held at the Buddhist Art library have been accessible to the general public.

At present, advance reservations are required to visit the Buddhist Art Library. (Updated May 2, 2023)

Library Hours

Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Photocopying services end at 4:00 p.m.
Please note that the Library is closed on holidays and from December 26th to January 4th.

How to Make a Reservation

• Reservations can be made until 1 p.m. on the day prior to your visit. (If the day prior to your visit is a holiday, until 1 p.m. on the final business day preceding your visit.) 
• You can check the availability of reservations at this link.

Please note that reservations are for use of the facility for research and study, not for touring the building.

About the Facility and Services Offered

Reading Room and Study
There are eight seats at tables designated for browsing, reading, and research. In addition, there are three PCs for making use of the databases.

• You may bring your own computer, but internet access is not provided.
• You may make free use of the reference works, journals, books, and other resources in the reading room.
• Materials in the stacks can be requested at the reception desk.

Photocopying
Photocopying is undertaken by staff members only.

• Photocopying services are available from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Black and white only; 35 yen per page

Reference Services
If you have any questions about locating sources, please be so kind as to contact the Buddhist Art Library staff by email at the below address.

　　　library_narahaku [at] nich.go.jp ( [at] →@)

Approximate Numbers of Materials Available to the Public (As of March 2023)

Books: 86,000 Volumes
Journals: 3,000 Titles
Exhibition Catalogues: 17,000 Volumes
Photographs: 190,000 Plates and Prints

Library Catalogue (OPAC)

Users can search for Buddhist Art Library materials including books, journals, bulletins, reports and exhibition catalogues through our online catalogue. Books and journals can be located by title, author, or subject using the “Books/Magazines” search field. Articles in journals and exhibition catalogues can be searched by title and author using the “Article” search field.

About the Building

The Buddhist Art Library was built in 1902 as an exhibition hall for local Nara Prefecture products. It was designed by a scholar of architectural history trained as an architect named Tadashi Sekino (1867–1935). In its overall design, the building makes reference to the Phoenix Hall (Hō’ō-dō) at the Byōdō-in Temple in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture. The building is made of wood and has a double-roof of pantiles: curved overlapping roof tiles. Its façade features a porch with an undulating gable (kara hafu). The building was designed to harmonize with its Nara Park surroundings. Particularly in its elegant integration of Western and Japanese stylistic elements, it exemplifies architecture of the Meiji era (1868–1912). The building was later renamed the Nara Prefecture Commerce and Industry Exhibition Hall. In 1951, the hall’s management was transferred to the Japanese government, and until 1980 it was used as the office of the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties.

Seismic Retrofitting

This landmark building underwent an expansive seismic retrofitting project from October, 2009 to March, 2011. As this was carried out, efforts were taken to restore the building to its former glory through a renovation grounded in cultural and historical research.

When the building was first opened in the Meiji era, the space beneath the building’s belfry-shaped roof was open, providing the North Wing with a stunning and expansive space. Wooden arches offered structural support in the elegant clerestory. There were also improvements made to facilitate the building’s present use: the Reading Room and Research Room were created, the foundation of the library was reinforced, and mobile shelving was installed.

We plan to continue in our efforts at promoting the historical and cultural value of the building moving forward, while ensuring its preservation and utilization as an important work of modern architecture. Throughout, we aim to meet the challenge of supporting and contributing to knowledge of Buddhist art.