Digital images of "Toji Hyakugo Monjo"

Digital images of "Toji Hyakugo Monjo," a national treasure which has been nominated for UNESCO Memory of the World registration, have been made available on the Internet as of 9:00 a.m., March 3, by the Kyoto Prefectural Library and Archives in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto. As approximately 80,000 images can be easily searched from the digital archives catalogue, the institute promoted this, stating, "We want people to use them freely and no application is necessary."

The materials are a group of approximately 20,000 documents (25,000 copies) from the Nara to Edo Periods that have been handed down in To-ji Temple, also known as Kyo-o-gokokuji Temple, in Minami Ward, Kyoto. They are first-class materials of medieval history. Their digitalization took place over approximately one year, beginning last January.

The documents can be searched through era names or keywords. The 33-million pixel high-resolution images can be enlarged so even the paper texture and ink stains can be seen. Columns about the high-profile documents and explanation pages for children have also been set up.

As of the March 3 opening day, approximately 44,000 items were on display. The full 80,000 items will be available on the website by late April and the information can also be accessed via smartphones. English pages are also provided. The images are offered for use in publications and merchandise free of charge or application so long as the archives ownership of the material is indicated.

The address is http://hyakugo.kyoto.jp/ Photo= The web page for "Toji Hyakugo Monjo" (provided by Kyoto Prefectural Library and Archives)