9 pm, Tokyo, Japan - TOURING THE BOOKSHOPS IN JIMBOCHO, PART 2

Back to Tokyo for a while, where UNESCO  World Book and Copyright Day 2016 now comes to an end. Naoyuki Seki of Maruzen-Yushodo Co. has finished his bibliohile tour through the bookshops in Jimbocho together with students and booklovers. Next stop was Kagerou Bunko, a specialist in illustrated books, and the final destination was the Old Booksellers' Union Building where he and his company visited the weekly bookfair.

The end of a great UNESCO World Book and Copyright Day in Tokyo! Thanks a lot to Naoyuki Seki and the Japanese ILAB booksellers for organizing such a splendid event.

April 2016 – For immediate release. Pictures: ILAB, UNESCO, the organizers

5 pm, Tokyo, Japan - TOURING THE BOOKSHOPS IN JIMBOCHO, PART 1

From Tokyo to Kyoto, Sapporo, Osaka and Kumamoto the Japanese dealers have decorated special Pop Up Book Fair Windows in their shops to celebrate UNESCO World Book and Copyright Day. On display are rare books and Empty Bookcase Posters to raise money for the UNESCO literacy projects in South Sudan. Currently Naoyuki Seki of Maruzen-Yushodo Co. is taking students on a tour to the most beautiful shops in Jimbocho, the central Tokyo book area.

Ohya-shobo, Japanese Ukiyoe specialist

Isseido booksellers

April 2016 – For immediate release. Pictures: ILAB, UNESCO, the Organizers

2 pm, Tokyo, Japan - ILAB POP UP FAIR AT THE WORLD ANTIQUARIAN BOOK PLAZA

Is there a place in the world where you can browse the shelves filled with modern firsts from the United States, incunabula from Europe, woodcut books from Asia, and children’s books, first editions, illustrated books, precious bindings or rare travel accounts from Australia, the United Kingdom, the Americas, Germany, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia, Austria and the Netherlands? Yes, there is such a place. The World Antiquarian Book Plaza is located in Tokyo’s city centre, only five minutes away from the central station and the famous Ginza: the ultimate destination for bibliophiles – and the amazing venue for this year's ILAB Pop Up Book Fair in Tokyo including a great fundraising for UNESCO's and American actor Forest Whitaker's literacy projects in South Sudan.

Early this afternoon Naoyuki Seki of Maruzen-Yushodo Co., Ltd. has shown some students the most valuable books on display at the Plaza today. Now he is taking them on a tour to the Jimbocho booksellers. What a great idea! Stay tuned for more pictures!

April 2016 – For immediate release. Pictures: ILAB, UNESCO, the Organizers

A few days ago, Tokyo, Japan - THE ANTIQUARIAN BOOKSELLERS' ASSOCIATION OF JAPAN LAUNCHING ITS ILAB POP UP CAMPAIGN 2016

The booksellers in Japan contribute in several ways to the worldwide celebrations on 23 April 2016. At their general meeting on 14 April, shortly before UNESCO World Book and Copyright Day, the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of Japan and their President officially launched the ILAB Pop Up Celebrations in Japan with the first generous donations to support UNESCO's work filling the Empty Bookcases for the children in South Sudan.

The new president of ABAJ, Mr. Kazuo Namikawa (Ogawa Tosho Ltd.), making his first speech after the election.

Former ABAJ president, Mr. Masaji Yagi (Azuchido Rare Books) and new president, Mr. Kazuo Namikawa putting spines on the Empty Bookcase Poster.

Committee members Mr. Sato (Kagerou Bunko), Mr. Yoshida (Asakuraya Bookstore), and Mr. Saito (Rinrokaku Bookstore) with former committe member Ms. Kuri Koketsu (Ohya-Shobo Co., Ltd.).

April 2016 – For immediate release. Pictures: ILAB, UNESCO, the Organizers

Tokyo, World Antiquarian Book Plaza, 23 April – A report from ILAB Pop Up Book Fair visitor Colin Laird (AbeBooks)

One of the most fascinating things about Japan is the harmonious blend of old and new. If you spend enough time there, seeing a thousand-year-old temple set among sky scrapers or watching as elegant ladies dressed in kimono rush past teens sporting the latest (and often bizarre) fashion trends will start to feel perfectly normal. Today, as I headed into Tokyo to attend the Pop-Up Book Fair put on by the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB) aboard a Shinkansen at more than 300km/h, I knew that I was about to experience one of those special paradoxes. 

Tokyo ’s edition of 2015 ILAB Pop-up Book Fair in support of Unesco World Book and Copyright Day took place in the World Antiquarian Book Plaza (WABP) – a permanent fixture on the third floor of Maruzen Bookstores in centrally located Nihonbashi. Founded in 2011, the WABP is a treasure trove of rare and antiquarian books, and collectible printed materials from 22 world-renowned antiquarian booksellers from 11 countries. 

Thoughtfully laid out with a museum-like feel, WABP offers an impressive selection of items ranging from ancient clay tablets to intricate pop-up books; and from 15th century illuminated manuscripts to 20th century modern signed first editions. The partner booksellers often refresh their inventory and local curators make great effort to elegantly display the material.  A large part of the collection is displayed out in the open, available for anyone to view up close and personal.

My host, Mr. Naoyuki Seki (Secretary of ABAJ, and Manager of Antiquarian Books for YUSHODO Co) kindly took the time to show me some very interesting books and other collectible printed material, including some of the following collections:

• A series of books published in the late 1800s as Tokyo opened its doors to Western influence. Written in languages other than Japanese (including English, French, German, and Danish) these books were printed to give a first glimpse of Japanese culture and folktales to foreigners wanting to know more about this fascinating land. Beautifully illustrated and printed on “Crepe Paper” – a cloth-like type of paper - Mr. Seki was more than happy to bring the collection out from behind the glass case to allow for a closer look, and to feel the beautiful texture.

• A special-themed monthly collection put together by the WABP members.  April’s focus was on paper – including Japanese Washi, and many other types of beautiful and collectible hand-made paper and paper products.

• A stunning selection of visually-pleasing items including woodblock prints, lithographs, and rare hand-colored early photographic postcards. It also included several rare pop-up books, depicting scenes such as the Voyage of Marco Polo, or Little Red Riding Hood.

• A set of gorgeous ancient copperplate-engraved maps printed in Germany including some of the earliest foreign-made depictions of Japan.

• A set of ancient Japanese playing cards containing phrases from historical Japanese poets.

Maruzen Bookstore is well-worth a trip on its own merits, but the addition of the WABP makes it a must-visit for any booklover in Tokyo. Take a moment to step out from the bustle of Tokyo and spend a quiet moment taking in some of the best collectible books Tokyo has to offer.

World Antiquarian Book Plaza is open every day (except January 1) from 10:00 – 20:00.

Notes:

• THURSDAY 23 APRIL - 10 am to 8 pm

World Antiquarian Book Plaza
Nihonbashi 2-3-10, Chuo-ku
Tokyo 103-8245

• http://www.unesco.org/new/en/wbcd

• Originally published on the AbeBooks book blog, presented here by permission of the author. Pictures: the author.

6 pm, Tokyo - Students of Yokohama National University visiting the ILAB Pop Up Book Fair

Students of Yokohama National University, and members of book-review circle, are visiting the ILAB Pop Up Book Fair. They very kindly made donations to support UNESCO and literacy of children in South Sudan!

You haven't donated yet! Click here and visit the UNESCO website!

1.30 pm, Tokyo - ARIGATOU, AbeBooks, for a generous donation to support the UNESCO literacy projects

As was announced yesterday, AbeBooks made a generous donation of 2.000 USD to UNESCO. As all money donated at the ILAB Pop Up Book Fairs today the money will be used to buy "Bouba and Zaza" books for the children in South Sudan.

When AbeBooks representative Colin Laird visited the ILAB Pop Up Fair in Tokyo this morning (local time) the Japanese rare book dealers presented him a Bookcase Poster filled with spines worth 1.000 USD - as symbol for the AbeBooks donation.

Another of these Bookcase Posters will be presented later the day in Portland, Oregon, to Jessica Doyle, who will be report for AbeBooks from there.

1 pm, Tokyo - ILAB Pop Up Fair at the World Antiquarian Book Plaza

The booksellers in Japan have been hard working for weeks to prepare for the great day! The Empty Bookcase posters have long been fixed at the World Antiquarian Book Plaza next to Tokyo’s Ginza, the members of ABAJ made a special donation of 77.000 Japanese Yen at their meeting on Monday,  and on the ABAJ blog you could learn how to sell and how to buy the “symbolic” spines  and to fix them at the Empty Bookcase posters. ILAB’s heartfelt thanks go to our colleagues in Japan for organizing such a great event on UNESCO World Book and Copyright Day 2015!

The ILAB Pop Up Book Fair at the World Antiquarian Book Plaza has started three hours ago.  ABAJ Secretary Naoyuki Seki has sent the first pictures: