The National Diet Library will open for public viewing 100 rare, carefully protected so-called treasure books, some designated by the government as important cultural assets, from June 9 through June 20.
The library, which has over 1,000 valuable books inherited from the Imperial Library and former feudal domains, also plans to hold a symposium and lecture by Hiroshi Aramata during the session.
"Hyakumantodarani," the world's oldest printed matter with a confirmed print year of 770, will be included in the display. Also to be shown is a letter written by Hosokawa Garasha, the daughter of famed feudal lord Akechi Mitsuhide.
The library plans to set up a computer for visitors to browse through old scrolls and a Japanese map made by Ino Tadataka, who was the first to use a Western method of cartography. Beautiful picture books of the Edo Period will also be exhibited.
There is no entry fee but reservations are necessary for symposiums and lectures. Call the National Diet Library at (03) 3581-2331.