The Center for Integrated Japanese Studies and the Japanese Economy and Management Laboratory at Tohoku University Graduate School of Economics will host a symposium titled “Digitization and Comprehensive Research Potential of Tohoku University's Early Modern and Modern Japanese Economic History Materials.” We welcome participation from anyone with a broad interest in the value and potential applications of our university's historical materials, as well as new developments in digital humanities.

　This event is part of the CIJS's collaborative research project, “Digitization and Research on Sources in the Economic History of Japan at Tohoku University.” Please also see the project introduction page.

 

▼Overview
　The Center for Integrated Japanese Studies at Tohoku University and the Japanese Economy and Management Laboratory at Tohoku University's Graduate School of Economics are collaborating on a project to digitize historical materials (early modern and modern Japanese economic history documents) held by Tohoku University. These early modern and modern Japanese economic history materials are not only outstanding research resources in Japan in terms of both quantity and quality, but also a collection of materials capable of attracting attention internationally. By organizing these materials, making them internationally accessible through platforms like ToUDA (Tohoku University Digital Archive), and transforming them into research resources easily usable by researchers both domestically and abroad, we expect to establish a foundation for international collaborative research.

　For example, the Kemuyama Village Documents and Imai Village Documents (microfilm) held by Tohoku University's Faculty of Economics were utilized in the late Nakamura Kichiji 's research on village history, significantly influencing historical and sociological studies in Japan. These materials hold potential for new developments based on recent advances in economic history. The Kotani Documents provide crucial information for understanding the Sendai Domain's guild system and distribution structure, as well as sugar trade and financial networks across eastern Japan during the late early modern period.

　This seminar will introduce the current status of the digitization project and share insights gained during the process with participants. We will then consider what new potential and significance these digitized materials hold as research resources, and what new avenues of research they may open.