China Studies Collection

by Lucy Li

Collection Building

Tateuchi East Asia Library acquired more than 500 titles for our Chinese collection, including over 20 eBooks, by the end of this academic year. Several large sets are Jin dai dian ying shi yan jiu zi liao hui bian 近代电影史研究资料汇编 (40v.); Shanxi gu dai si guan cai suo quan ji 山西古代寺观彩塑全集(26v.); Zhong E guan xi li shi dang an wen jian ji 中俄关系历史档案文件集1653-1966 (19v), to name a few. We also purchased, for course reserve, the electronic A student’s dictionary of Classical and Medieval Chinese to provide unlimited simultaneous student access in addition to the print copy.

Tateuchi East Asia Library endowments were used to acquire three electronic databases: Pishu Database 皮书数据库 of China’s economy, public policy, and security reports, full-text database of Renmin University Social Sciences Information Center 人大社科文献复印中心数据库, and UDNData 聯合日報數據庫. These digital resources supplement our social and political studies resources on China and add news sources from Taiwan. We also added two serial subscriptions: Rural China: an international journal of history and social science (electronic) and Contemporary China review (Chinese version) (print).

We continued to receive donations from institutions overseas and individual donors. Hubei Zhongtu Changjiang Culture Media Co., Ltd sent us 85 books (115 volumes) on the history and culture of China’s Hubei and surrounding regions. The National Central Library sent us selected 75 titles (110 vol.) including a 30-volume Yang Mu quan ji 楊牧全集 as requested.

The 228 Memorial Museum donated to us selected primary sources on the 1947 228 Incident in Taiwan. Academia Historica also sent latest publications on a regular basis, including the latest publications of the Chiang Diaries: Chiang Kai-shek diaries 蔣中正日記 [1948-1954] and Jiang Jingguo ri ji 蔣經國日記 [1970-1979]. Other donations came from local artists, Chinese authors living in the US, UW faculty, and scholars that visited our library.

Liaison

Instructions this year included introduction of library resources to incoming China Studies MA students (JSIS A 521), annotated bibliography and citation to continuing graduate students (JSIS A 522), and introduction of primary resources on Taiwan under Japanese rules and Manchukuo to undergraduate students (JSIS A 432). Lucy’s presentation of Tateuchi East Asia Library special collections included the co-presentation with Tateuchi East Asia Library librarians on illustrated rare Chinese items to undergraduate students (ASIAN 200) and community members. She also curated and presented pre-1911 publications of works on the Classic of Odes to graduate students in a classical Chinese reading seminar course (CHIN571).

Lucy worked with the UW Taiwan Studies Arts and Culture Program and hosted two exhibits in the George M. Beckmann Reading Room. The winter quarter display of “Love, Taipei” showcased movie posters of the 1960s to the 2000s with Taipei in the setting. The spring exhibit on the 1947 228 Incident involved selecting and receiving gift books from the 228 Memorial Museum, a display of event overview, class instruction and seminar setups.

In February, 2025, Lucy created a small display introducing Professor Martin Kern with selected works by him or of his choice on the material history of the Chinese language in promoting his visit to UW for the Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar Lecture. In May, 2025, Lucy assisted the Rainier Chinese Literature Club with their interview with Chinese author and public speaker Fan Deng 樊登 in Tateuchi East Asia Library’s community room, and gave a brief introduction of the library and its collections.

Beyond UW, Lucy received local high school students doing research and touring Tateuchi East Asia Library and assisted scholars from China, Switzerland, and Germany with special collection item requests, viewing and reproduction. Visiting scholars from UCLA and Guangdong Sun Yan-sen University came to review our Mu Yu Shu collection for two weeks in March, and provided detailed feedback on the items and triggered the digitization effort of this collection.

Professional Development

In October, 2024, Lucy joined four other China Studies Librarians from academic libraries in the Pacific Northwest and carried a panel discussion on the prospect of China Studies library resources facing budget constraints, AI, and geopolitical tensions. The panel discussion was part of the Northwest China Forum held in Vancouver, Canada. Together, the panelists heard from faculty and students’ views on these topics and provided suggestions on in-class instruction, open access publishing, and more.

In March, 2025, Lucy attended the Council of East Asian Libraries conference in Columbus, Ohio. At the conference, she co-presented sessions on the topic of digital accessibility and East Asian e-resources. The presentations were designed to raise awareness of the new federal regulations and rules on digital accessibility with peer institutions and vendors, and to introduce initial steps of testing for compliance. Digital accessibility will be one of the challenges that we will be facing next year for our China collections. The American Disability Act Rules on Digital Accessibility requires all digital resources to be accessible by April, 2026. Many overseas e-resources, however, are not yet compliant.

After the conference, she attended the Society of Chinese Studies Librarians and visited the Ohio State University East Asian Library and viewed their special collection items.

Japan Studies Collection

by Kiwa Tashiro

Research & Learning Service

Kiwa Tashiro has served as the Reference Specialist for Japan Studies at the Tateuchi East Asia Library since April 2024, filling in during the sabbatical of Japanese Librarian, Azusa Tanaka. Kiwa is a graduate student at the Jackson School of International Studies and the Evans School of Public Policy. In this role as the Reference Specialist, she has provided research services and reference support for students, faculty, and researchers both locally and internationally, drawing on her background and expertise as a former journalist. Furthermore, she has contributed to Tateuchi East Asia Library’s outreach by producing photography, videography, and social media content to promote library events.

Kiwa was also responsible for managing Tateuchi East Asia Library’s Japanese Special Collections, which include more than 9,000 culturally significant items. She actively engaged with the broader community to promote access to these materials. One of her major projects involved developing an inventory of approximately 7,000 Gaihozu (topographic maps produced by the former Japanese Imperial Army between the 1880s and 1945). In November 2024, she led public presentations featuring these Japanese Special Collections, offering illustrated context to enhance public understanding of their historical significance.

Additionally, Kiwa served as a dedicated liaison to the Jackson School Task Force class Remilitarizing Japan? American Foreign Policy and the Japanese Constitution USIS 495D). The course explored U.S.­ Japan relations and broader Pan-Pacific dynamics and diplomacy. For this course, she created a custom website for the Task Force session, delivered a two­ hour in-class presentation, and provided guidance on research strategies and resources to deepen student engagement with course materials.

Each quarter, Kiwa conducted multiple instructional sessions for classes in the Jackson School of International Studies, the Department of Asian Languages and Literature, and the School of Art History. These sessions provided tailored library instruction and research support designed to enhance academic learning and engagement. During the winter quarter, she led a session for Advanced Readings in Modern Japanese Literature (JAPAN 532A), focusing on research methodologies in both Japanese and English.

Additionally, she facilitated a special library session for An Introduction to Nō Drama (JSIS 434), showcasing Tateuchi East Asia Library’s collection on traditional Japanese Nō theater.

In March 2025, Kiwa was selected as a recipient of the University of Washington Libraries Student Employee Scholarship Award. This award recognizes student employees for their meaningful contributions and dedication to advancing the libraries’ mission of supporting the University’s educational and research endeavors. After receiving the award, she expressed her deep gratitude, stating that she was able to earn the scholarship thanks to the invaluable guidance and support of her outstanding colleagues at Tateuchi East Asia Library. She shared that working as part of such a dedicated team was a great honor and privilege. Serving as a Reference Specialist allowed her to grow through a wide range of responsibilities, and she remarked that the experience will undoubtedly prove invaluable in her future endeavors.

Korea Studies Collection

by Hyokyoung Yi

Collection Development

Several key initiatives were undertaken to strengthen Tateuchi East Asia Library’s Korean Studies collections. In partnership with the Korean Student Association (KSA) and with support from the Associated Students of UW, the Graphic Novel Café project was launched. This initiative highlights the Korean webtoon collection alongside Japanese manga and invites students to engage with Korean visual culture in a relaxed café setting. As a student-led project, it was guided by project leader Junseo Park, a student employee at Tateuchi East Asia Library and recipient of the UW Mary Gates Leadership Scholarship, with Hyokyoung providing mentorship in its visioning, planning and implementation.

Preservation work included the identification of rare and at-risk North Korean periodicals stored on hard drives. In collaboration with the Libraries’ Preservation Department, digital access was established for titles such as 근로자 (1946–2019), 조선영화 (1958–1996), and 영화예술 (1949), all now fully accessible through the UW Libraries catalog. Acquisition efforts also included the addition of Moazine, a major digital platform providing access to over 200 contemporary Korean magazines. This resource significantly enhances coverage of modern Korean topics ranging from politics and literature to science and fashion. Additionally, duplicate Korean materials were reviewed and weeded, and support was provided in evaluating the Kane Newspapers collection to improve usability and shelf management.

Instruction and Research Support

Tailored research instruction was delivered for various academic programs, including orientations for incoming graduate students in the Jackson School and the Department of Asian Languages and Literature. Library tours were also conducted for the Graduate Student Research Institute participants. In November, a workshop session was co-taught in collaboration with Special Collections for the exhibit Exploring East Asia’s Cultural Heritage Through Illustrated Works. Participation also included co-teaching in Asian Writing Systems (ASIAN 200), introducing students to rare Korean texts and Tateuchi East Asia Library resources.

Public Programming and Exhibits

To elevate the visibility of Korean Studies, several public events and exhibits were curated and supported. Notable among these were a virtual and pop-up exhibit on Han Kang, celebrating her Nobel Prize in Literature as the first Korean and Asian female recipient, and a film screening of Harvesting Light and Liquid Hauntology with director Soyoung Kim, in partnership with Professor Ungsan Kim and the Center for Korea Studies.

As part of the long-term exhibit Exploring East Asia’s Cultural Heritage Through Illustrated Works, rare Korean illustrated texts from the Chosŏn period were contributed, further promoting Korea’s visual and intellectual legacy.

Professional Engagement

Professional activity included presenting at the 2024 Overseas Korean Studies Librarian Workshop in Seoul, providing an overview of Tateuchi East Asia Library’s Korean collection strategy and the English Translation Database of Korean Literature project. A visit to Keio University was conducted alongside Lauren Pressley, Senior Associate Dean of Research and Learning Services, to explore opportunities for international academic exchange.

As Chair of the Korean Collections Consortium of North America (KCCNA), responsibilities included organizing and hosting the session Shaping the Future of Korean Studies, held during the 2025 Council on East Asian Libraries (CEAL) and Association for Asian Studies (AAS) annual conference, and featuring Karla Strieb (BTAA) as the keynote speaker. A presentation was also given at the CEAL Committee on Korean Materials, reporting on progress with the English Translation Database of Korean Literature — a collaborative initiative with Professor Heekyoung Cho of the Korean literature program. The publicly searchable database launched in early May and is accessible at https://koreanlit.ds.www-stg.lib.uw.edu.

Librarian Update

by Azusa Tanaka

AI Research to Date on Premodern Japanese Books

Japan Studies Librarian Azusa Tanaka took a research leave during the 2024-2025 academic year to investigate methods for estimating the publication years of premodern Japanese books (published before 1868) using microscopic imaging and machine learning. This project addresses a longstanding challenge in Japanese bibliographic scholarship: the absence of colophons or explicit dating in many early printed works, which renders traditional dating methods, such as author chronology or material composition analysis, either subjective or invasive.

To circumvent these limitations, Tanaka captured over 13,000 microscopic images from two well-dated Edo-period sources, the Ise calendars and Bukan (feudal directories), using a compact digital microscope camera (OMDS TG-7). Each image was segmented and processed to extract five paper fiber characteristics: fiber intersections, fiber density, contrast, structural uniformity, and fiber thickness.

Two regression-based machine learning models, Random Forest and XGBoost, were trained on these features to predict publication years. Random Forest outperformed XGBoost, yielding R² values above 0.88 and root mean square errors (RMSE) of under 20 years for both datasets. Simply put, these results suggest that the visual patterns of paper fibers reflect chronological shifts in papermaking practices, offering a viable and non-invasive proxy for dating undated materials.

The project was supported by cloud computing grants from Microsoft Azure (USD 6,000) and Amazon Web Services (USD 5,000) through the University of Washington’s eScience Institute. This methodology holds significant promise for improving cataloging accuracy in libraries and archives by providing a scalable, data-driven tool for historical bibliographic research. Future work will explore deep learning models and the inclusion of broader datasets.

Circulation & Public Services

by Melissa Fallon, Rebecca Cavanaugh

Supporting Tateuchi East Asia Library’s Daily Excellence

The Branch Operations Services team, which supports circulation, public services, and collection maintenance across eight libraries on the Seattle campus, started to support the Tateuchi East Asia Library in September 2023. Rebecca Cavanaugh and Melissa Fallon are the two Public Services Technicians on the Branch Operations team who primarily support the Tateuchi East Asia Library, alongside several other staff members and over 25 student employees.

Through a variety of tasks and projects, Branch Operations supports the circulation of materials within the library, provides assistance to users, and supports the librarians with their collection projects and event preparation. We have helped make items available for Tadoku classes using the Language Learning collection, supported visiting researchers with Special Collections materials, and prepared over 1,500 items for the Manhwa/Manga Café, which was hosted in Tateuchi East Asia Library’s Seminar Room in the Spring quarter.

In addition to supporting library projects and events, this past year we have succeeded in processing a backlog of materials that arrived during Tateuchi East Asia Library’s renovation closure in order to make them available to users, and reorganized the serials display section so that these items are easily browsable. The Tateuchi East Asia Library collection receives approximately 150 new serial issues and 500 new books every month, and processing these incoming items so they’re available as quickly as possible for users is an important part of the Branch Operations team’s work.

Rebecca and Melissa have also been preparing to add thousands of additional items to Tateuchi East Asia Library’s Special Collections storage location, where they will be secure and protected in a more temperature-controlled environment.

Dan Halligan, Daily Operations Supervisor, has contributed a lot of work towards updating the space, making study spaces and study rooms available for users in addition to updating signage. Furthermore, the Branch Operations student supervisors have collaborated with Tateuchi East Asia Library Librarians to run several reference trainings so that student staff on desk are better equipped to connect users with the resources they need.

The Branch Operations Services team is delighted to be able to work with Hyokyoung, Azusa, Lucy, Kiwa, and all the other library staff who work tirelessly to connect users with the invaluable resources in this beautiful space. We value our positive collaboration across departments to support the Tateuchi East Asia Library and the community who uses it.

From Rebecca: It is an honor to support this library and has taught me so much about East Asian academics. In addition to the work I perform daily, I’ve had the opportunity to assist a variety of scholars during their time in our library. They have shared with me their unique areas of research or interest which has allowed me to understand more about the valuable materials I walk past! I look forward to working in this library every day and am excited for the upcoming projects this next year.

From Melissa: Tateuchi East Asia Library is such a wonderful library and it has been a lovely experience working here. It’s immensely satisfying to see projects come together, learn about the library materials and people using them, as we work together to support the library’s goal of being a welcoming community space. This is a unique learning environment, and I am continually excited to help contribute towards making the library even more accessible.

From Student Supervisors (Carissa, Cody, and Laura): It has been absolutely wonderful to collaborate with Hyokyoung, Azusa, Lucy, and Kiwa to support daily operations, the collection, and staffing the circulation desk. The knowledge and expertise they have shared with our staff members through reference and referral training is immeasurable. We are excited to continue to work together to support Tateuchi East Asia Library.

From Our Students

By Victor Yin

Reflecting on my time at the Tateuchi East Asia Library, I’ve gained invaluable experience in leadership, collaboration, cultural outreach, and design exploration. As a graphic designer, I’ve refined my skills through projects like the Special Collections Exhibit, which highlighted over 20 historic works from Japan, China, and Korea. Under the guidance of director Hyokyoung, I was also able to align my creative strengths in music and art to support the library’s missions. One of the most rewarding experiences was my role in organizing the Melody in the Stacks concert series (Spring ‘24, Autumn ‘24, Spring ‘25), where I invited campus musicians to showcase East Asian traditional music in the library’s main lobby. Managing all aspects—logistics, marketing, performer outreach, and technical setup—refined my ability to tackle complex problems through close collaboration and flexible leadership. In creative design, I was given the unique opportunity to create a 3D model of the library in miniature form, featuring detailed interiors. I hope this model will serve Tateuchi’s future users, whether it is updated or preserved as a time capsule of the library we know and love in 2025.

As I prepare to graduate studies across the country, I carry a lasting gratitude for my time at the library. From my early days as a Japanese studies student assistant, to my current role in graphic design, the endearing support and trust from my supervisors and peers have fostered my growth in countless ways. With these invaluable experiences, I am both excited and confident in my journey ahead.

By Elene Liu

Helping to organize Tateuchi East Asia Library’s large collection of Chinese language material is one of the core responsibilities of my job; however, unlike the tedious tasks this position is stereotypically associated with, it includes many fun encounters. My assignments could involve checking duplicates to ensure we don’t purchase or accept a book we already possess, or it could look like organizing an old box of Chinese Zodiac sign paper cutting artwork left over from years ago. Moreover, my supervisor assigns me projects while kindly keeping in mind my interests and field of study. As a student of Ethnomusicology, I love being assigned projects such as reviewing existing digital data of the Cantonese Opera Lyric books “Mu Yu Shu 木鱼书”, or categorizing library books on Chinese music into subgenres upon patron request. These tasks have become more than just work—they are projects I am personally invested in and genuinely excited about.

The Tateuchi East Asia Library highly values its student employees by offering them opportunities to enhance their leadership and event organizing skills. This year, the Tateuchi East Asia Library New Year Celebration programming was also handed to the student employees to coordinate, and we certainly put in our best. Being entrusted with the Tateuchi East Asia Library New Year Celebration allowed me to gain invaluable experience in every aspect of event planning — from designing program handouts to promoting the event strategically on social media, coordinating with student performers, writing emcee scripts, and hosting the event itself.

I also participated in the planning and execution of a series of events that became Tateuchi East Asia Library signatures, such as the Karaoke Fridays, DIY cherry blossom bookmarks, and Melody in the Stacks. In October, the library’s official Instagram account was launched by me and my coworkers in hopes of promoting the library to a wider audience. After a school year of posting and promotion, we have successfully gained 150 followers and received numerous positive feedback from users. I am grateful to the Tateuchi East Asia Library for placing their trust in us, enabling me to grow both personally and professionally.

By Junseo Park

Nine months into working at Tateuchi East Asia Library, I can proudly say that joining the team has been one of the best decisions I have made in my time at UW. While still serving as a student assistant, I was given so much flexibility and creative freedom to take initiative in what I felt passionate about, under the library staff’s wholehearted support and guidance.

To highlight a few, we held a Cherry Blossom Bookmark craft event for the first time. The experience of using hand-picked leaves from the Quad cherry blossom festival to make a bookmark attracted many on- and off-campus visitors to come check out the Tateuchi East Asia Library and take the memory of their 2025 spring home.

The biggest project that I worked on was the opening of the Graphic Novel Cafe from May 19th to June 13th. Inspired by the past Tateuchi East Asia Library ManhwaBang exhibition in 2015, I initiated the idea of bringing up a big collection of Korean and Japanese Graphic novel titles UW Libraries has to our 2M seminar room for the creation of the Graphic Novel Café space. The UW Korean Student Association got involved to create a more culturally immersive experience of providing Korean snacks to visitors, and advertised the event, helping to bring more students to the library. Freshly furnished by the student group, Tateuchi East Asia Library’s seminar room welcomed its visitors with the grand selection of Tateuchi East Asia Library’s Graphic Novel titles and comfy chairs for students to enjoy.

This was a big-scale project that required every library staff member to step in and help out with. Hyokyoung, Kiwa, and Lucy provided invaluable support and advice throughout, and the co-workers at the circulation desk went out of their way to face unfamiliar steps and work to make this event possible.

I am so fortunate to have this opportunity to learn and grow with such a supportive team. None of these works would have been possible without the support of everyone in the library team, and I am grateful that I am in such an amazing environment with an amazing group of people to help enrich the university culture.