Kangien (a famous private academy in the Edo period) was established by Hirose Tanso in 1817, and continued under Kyokuso (Tanso's younger brother), Seison (the adopted heirs), and Ringai (Kyokuso's son) until 1871. In Kangien, the collection of books expanded to more than 5400 by the end of Edo period, by collecting money every month from students for more than 30 years. The books were divided into two collections, and were kept in the east and west houses of Kangien. The collections were managed by the Zosyokan, who were highachieving students. The Zosyokan constructed the catalog of books and checked the books against it, recording titles and numbers of books. The catalog was revised and enlarged as books were lost and purchased. In Kangien, the books were divided into two parts (Japanese books and Chinese books) ,and Kyokuso's books were added by 1874. Since then the safekeeping of these books has scarcely changed. These books are currently kept in Senkenbunko, in the town of Hita (Oita prefecture).

本研究はJSPS科研費JP25381029の助成を受けたものである。