60th Meiji Kotenkai Star Festival Auction: A Celebration of Cultural Heritage
The 60th Meiji Kotenkai Star Festival Auction, one of Japan's most historic and significant antiquarian book auctions, will be held on July 6, 2023. Organized by the Tokyo Antiquarian Booksellers Association, the auction will bring together a vast array of cultural materials, including historical documents, authors’ handwritten manuscripts, first editions, ukiyo-e prints, and contemporary art. This auction not only showcases the rich history of literature and art but also allows the public a unique glimpse into Japan’s artistic and scholarly heritage.
Preview Event: An Opportunity to Explore
Before the auction, a preview event will take place on July 4 and 5, where the public can enjoy free access to view the noteworthy items on display. This is a rare opportunity for anyone to step into the Tokyo Antiquarian Bookstore's housed location at Kanda Ogawacho, a venue typically accessible only to licensed antiquarians. Attendees will be able to examine a variety of rare documents, manuscripts, and artworks from the Edo period to modern-day.
Event Details for the Preview
- - Dates: July 4 (10 AM – 6 PM), July 5 (10 AM – 4 PM)
- - Location: Tokyo Antiquarian Bookstore, Kanda Ogawacho 3-22, Chiyoda City, Tokyo
- - Entry: Free
- - Featured Items: Original manuscripts from eminent authors, art and craft books, modern art pieces, historical maps, ukiyo-e prints, and more.
For more information about the event, visit the
official website.
What is the Meiji Kotenkai Star Festival Auction?
Founded over 60 years ago, the Meiji Kotenkai is a collective of expert antiquarian booksellers from the Tokyo Antiquarian Booksellers Association, which comprises approximately 600 stores. The organization emphasizes the value of various academic and cultural materials—such as modern literary first editions, handwritten manuscripts, and significant historical documents from the Meiji period—endeavoring to preserve and promote Japan's literary heritage. The organization now includes 22 specialist bookstores and runs a market for members on Fridays.
While the market generally hosts only Antiquarian Association members, the Star Festival Auction offers the general public an opportunity to partake once a year. This auction allows enthusiasts to engage with valuable historical texts and artwork, considerably enriching the cultural tapestry of Japan.
Highlights of This Year's Auction
Here are some of the standout items featured in this year's auction:
- - Illustrated Book of Insects: Produced by Utagawa Kuniyoshi during a brief period when he released lavish illustrated books. This significant volume showcases the work of 30 kyoka poets and represents a high-caliber woodblock art piece.
- - Uncensored Version of 'Howling at the Moon': A first edition of poet Sakutaro Hagiwara's influential poetry collection remains notably significant due to its preservation of original texts that were censored in later editions. Only a handful of copies are known to exist, rendering it an essential artifact for literary scholars.
- - Original Artwork from 'Berserk': Original panels from Kentaro Miura's beloved dark fantasy manga, offering a rare perspective given the series' untimely hiatus due to the author's passing, encapsulating both artistic brilliance and cultural poignancy.
The complete list of auction items is available on the official
Meiji Kotenkai website.
For Media Inquiries
Press and media representatives are encouraged to cover the Star Festival Auction. An exclusive press preview will be held on July 3 from 3 PM to 5 PM at the Tokyo Antiquarian Bookstore. We look forward to your attendance and coverage. For interviews and inquiries, please refer to the contact information below:
- - Contact: Kurita Koketsu, Meiji Kotenkai Public Relations
- - Email: info@meijikotenkai.com
- - Phone: 090-2566-4039
- - Fax: 03-3291-5353
We cordially invite you to attend and experience this cultural highlight of the year.
Conclusion
As Japan continues to celebrate its rich literary and artistic heritage, the 60th Meiji Kotenkai Star Festival Auction stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of books and art. We anticipate this year's event will surpass expectations, drawing in literature lovers, historians, and art enthusiasts from all over.