• 2014-12-11

National Central Library(NCL)’s Director-general Tseng Shu-hsien and University Librarian Furuta Motoo of the University of Tokyo library system sign a cooperative memorandum on December 10 to establish a Taiwan Resource Center for Chinese Studies (TRCCS), as well as hold an opening ceremony. Deputy Chief Hsu Juei-hu of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan, Professor Ishii Yojiro(University of Tokyo’s Head of the College of Arts and Sciences), University Librarian Sakai Tetsuya of the Komaba Library, Professor Kawashima Shin, and other Japanese sinological institutes and sinologists are in attendance to witness this historic moment.

At the beginning of the ceremony, Director-general Tseng especially speaks Japanese to thank the University of Tokyo and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan for their support and assistance, as well as others’ concerted effort and cooperation to prepare for this new resource center and help us open a new page in the history of promoting Chinese studies overseas. Additionally, she thanks all the honored guests for attending the ceremony.

Director-general Tseng also stated that each year, NCL selects top books, periodicals, audiovisual materials, and e-resources in Taiwan to donate to the TRCCS. In 2013-2014, a total of 5,264 types of publications (totaling 7,020 volumes) were given to the 11 centers. This is not only beneficial in broadening academic exchange, but also in allowing more people to access great publications from Taiwan and abundant e-resources on Chinese studies. This is a great way to show Taiwan’s achievements in promoting Chinese studies. In fact, Oxford University has recently contacted our Library and expressed interest setting up a TRCCS there next year. This shows that our efforts are effective in increasing Taiwan’s international visibility and influence in Chinese studies. The establishing of this TRCCS here at the University of Tokyo is a definite win-win situation for both parties.

During University Librarian Furuta’s remarks, he is very thankful that NCL and the University of Tokyo could work together to establish this TRCCS. In so doing, the amount of scholarly exchange between the two countries will greatly increase. Deputy Chief Hsu also expressed his congratulations on and support of the establishment of the TRCCS. He believes that an abundance of Chinese studies resources from Taiwan will infuse the University of Tokyo’s libraries with added research energy.

During the opening ceremony, Director-general Tseng donated replicas of The Annotated Poetry of Su Dongpo, a national treasure of the Republic of China that is more than 800 years old, and The Diamond Sutra which is the earliest wood block print book with dual color in the world.

Those will be valuable resources for researchers of Buddhist thought here in Japan. It is hoped that these donations will add to the University of Tokyo library system’s collection, serve as a witness to this historic moment in collaboration between the two libraries, and pave the way for further cooperative endeavors in the future.

To celebrate the establishment of the TRCCS, the University of Tokyo set up an academic conference. Presentations were given by NCL and the University of Tokyo. NCL primarily reports on the individual resources that come with TRCCS. They also exchange experience and ideas with members of the audience. The opening ceremony is a great show of intense interaction when it comes to an end. Afterward the University of Tokyo provides a tour of their main library for the attendees of the opening ceremony and shows off their amazing special collections.

The information of Taiwan Resource Center for Chinese Studies has been added to the floor guide of the University of Tokyo.

Director-general Tseng(2nd left), University Librarian Furuta (2nd right), Professor Ishii(1st left) and Professor Kawashima(1st right) pose for a group photo before the signing ceremony.

Director-general Tseng’s speech in Japanese and Chinese receives with warm applause.

Remark by Deputy Chief Hsu of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan

Remarks by University Librarian Furuta, Professor Ishii and University Librarian Sakai.

Director-general Tseng and University Librarian Furuta sign a cooperative memorandum during the opening ceremony.

Director-general Tseng donates replicas of The Annotated Poetry of Su Dongpo and The Diamond Sutra.

The TRCCS is unveiled at the University of Tokyo.

All guests are invited to take a tour of the University of Tokyo Library after the signing ceremony.

The Interactive media area in the library.

In the University of Tokyo Library

The reading room in the library.

The main gate of the University of Tokyo.

In the Komaba Library of the University of Tokyo.

A guide introduces the Komaba library facilities to Director-general Tseng after the signing ceremony.

The Genki Books (Gender Equality No-nonsense Knowledge and Information) was established in 2010 to offer books on Sex/Gender equality.

The Self-service and Apple computers available for patrons at the Komaba Library of the University of Tokyo.

Dr. Leo Lin, Editor at the NCL, delivers a speech entitled ‘Understanding the TRCCS Project’.

University Librarian Furuta invites guests to the reception.