At the present time, the Baika Women's University Library has a collection of 167 crêpe-paper books (including those printed on thick Japanese paper) published by Hasegawa Kobunsha as well as other publishers. All of these materials have been digitalized and are readily accessible by personal computer. Now, they have been made open to the public as one item of 'Portal to Learning.' The accompanying commentary by Professor Emeritus Saeko ISHIZAWA is easy for beginners to understand.

These rare originals must be stored in a proper environment and must be handed down to future generations as a cultural heritage. By digitalizing the materials and making them available on the Web, we have made them accessible at any time from any place. In this way, we have tried to deal successfully with the problem of 'preservation versus wide use.'

Except for some duplicate materials, the majority of the crêpe-paper books in our collection are available to the public. Readers who cannot find what they are looking for in the Table of Contents may visit our library and peruse the digitalized copies there. In such a case, please contact the Baika Women's University Library, Reference Counter, in advance.

Finally, we would add here that these materials were digitalized from microfilm copies.

(English translation of Preface and introduction by Audrey Gilg,
Professor Emeritus, Baika Women's University)