UCSF digitizing ancient Japanese medical prints, the largest collection outside of Japan

"“So, we are learning how different cultures, in this case Japanese culture, how their, traditional beliefs than were, adopted, when the modern medicine was introduced,” said Ilieva, associate university librarian for Archives and Special Collections."

"“This one is dated 1759, and it's, again, sort of through the progression of the understanding of the body. And anatomy of it,” said Nguyen, the library's digital archivist."

"“One of the most exciting things about this is, about the collection at UCSF, is the rarity of the materials. It is the largest collection of Japanese woodblock prints that represent medicine and health in the United States. It's also the largest Japanese rare books collection, outside of Japan,”"

UCSF researchers preserve and digitize ancient Japanese medical materials, including scrolls, manuscripts, and woodblock prints, in a temperature-controlled library setting. The work traces how traditional Japanese beliefs were adopted when modern medicine was introduced. The collection includes items dated as early as 1759 that show changing understanding of the body and anatomy. Materials range from early public health posters focused on spiritual defenses against disease to detailed anatomical depictions. The team treats fragile items as living patients, requiring delicate care and documentation. The collection is described as the largest in the United States for Japanese woodblock prints representing medicine and health, and the largest Japanese rare books collection outside Japan.

Read at ABC7 San Francisco