culture

Libraries & Archives

The Archive of Whiskers (Mori-shizuka):

  • Largest library in the Shogunate
  • Ancient texts, government records, scholarly works
  • Climate-controlled storage
  • Cataloging system
  • Open to serious researchers
  • Copying services available
  • Some restricted sections (fragile or sensitive documents)

Provincial Libraries:

  • Each major city has public library
  • Books, scrolls, maps, newspapers
  • Reading rooms
  • Some lending (deposit required)
  • Community gathering spaces
  • Literacy programs

Guild Archives:

  • Specialized collections
  • Technical manuals
  • Guild histories
  • Trade secrets (restricted sections)
  • Training materials

Private Collections:

  • Wealthy individuals collect books
  • Some very extensive
  • Occasionally open to scholars by permission
  • Status symbol