About the Reizei Family

The Reizei Family Residence is the only kuge (court noble) house in Japan that remains in its original form. The family has kept the land in the former kuge town near Kyoto Imperial Palace from the beginning of the early modern period. The current house, rebuilt in 1790, and the layout of the residence are known as valuable historic evidence that accurately shows how the system was in the old days

Tens of thousands of traditional books and old documents have been handed down to the Reizei Family, mainly related to waka (classical Japanese poetry), which has been the academic tradition of the family since the days of Fujiwara no Nagaie, Fujiwara no Shunzei, and Fujiwara no Teika.

Many of them were transcribed and disseminated by court nobles and samurai of the time through the medieval and early modern periods, serving an important role in the inheritance of tradition and the formulation of new culture.

Reizei-style waka poetry and relevant events pass down the traditional culture of court life to the present. Their inheritance and preservation are highly valuable both in tangible and intangible terms.

Reizei Family Shiguretei Library, an incorporated foundation, was established in April 1981 with an aim to inherit and preserve such valuable cultural assets comprehensively and permanently in future years.

How your support will be used

Reizei Family Shiguretei Bunko is engaged in projects to inherit, preserve, disclose to the public and diffuse the tangible and intangible cultural assets handed down to the Reizei Family.

Since these projects require a considerable amount of funds, the foundation seeks contributions also from the general public.

We ask for your understanding and acceptance of the activities and projects of the foundation, and for your kind support. Donations will be utilized effectively to partially cover expenses for the repair of books and old documents, and the repair of buildings.