Asia | National Library of Australia (NLA)

Asia

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Collection guide
German colonies in the Pacific

Papers and microfilm of original records relating to the German colonies in the Pacific from 1884-1914, and a selection of other books on this topic.

Collection guide
A black and white image of two women. One is seated and the other is standing with her arm around the seated woman.

Students of Taisei Girls High School in Japan c.1944. Photo courtesy of Harue Goto.

Grief in World War II expressed in art and fashion with Dr Tets Kimura

Dr Tets Kimura presented a lecture on his 2023 National Library Fellowship research into how grief was experienced during the Asia-Pacific War in two different nations, Australia and Japan, and how it is identifiable in art and fashion.

Event
Video
People watch lion dances in Chinatown Plaza in Adelaide

Jiayuan Liang, Chung Yee Tong Lion Dance Team performing lion dances, Chinese New Year, Chinatown, Adelaide, 2022, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3125334254

Growing Chinese Australian representation in the collection

Explore some of the recent additions to the collection representing the contribution of Australians with Chinese heritage.

Blog
A sepia photograph of a man in traditional Japanese dress standing outside in front of a wooden dwelling structure.

Harold S. Williams in Japan, c.1920s, Papers of Harold S. Williams, 1867-2000, MS6681/5/file 54, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-234441386

Harold S. Williams and Japan with Professor Robin Gerster

Professor Robin Gerster presented a lecture on his research into the life of historian Harold S. Williams and Williams' historical research in Japan.

Event
Video
Man with brown hair and a grey and brown beard sitting at a table with a large map spread over it
Historical trauma, hidden Christianity and world heritage

Hear from NLA Fellow Dr Gwyn McClelland about his research and time at the Library.

Blog
Shelves containing books and journals and a picture of a man in a boat looking at birds that sit on the sides of the boat
History of the Asian collections

The National Library houses the largest and most actively developing research resource on Asia in Australia, with holdings of over half a million volumes.

Information article
Photo of women from the dance group Bollydance Dipti in pink costumes taking a selfie in a crowd

Aishah Kenton, Bollydance Dipti dancers taking a selfie at the Indian Film Festival in Federation Square, Melbourne, Victoria, 17 August, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3428627828

Indian Diaspora in Australia documented through photography and oral histories

We asked Australians with Indian heritage to help us build our collection and these materials are now online. 

News article
A sample of an emigration pass. It says 'Colonial Emigration Form, Man's Emigration Pass' with signatures and handwritten information.
Indian emigration passes to Fiji 1879 - 1916

Find out how to access over 60,000 passes issued to Indian people who came to Fiji as indentured labourers.

Research guide
Blue tile
Indonesian collection

The National Library's Indonesian collection is the largest collection of Indonesian language material in Australia and one of largest contemporary collections in the world.

Information article
Michael Raditya standing in the Main Reading Room and smiling

2025 Asia Study Grant recipient, Mr Michael Haryo Bagus Raditya

Indonesian dangdut music: Evolution, connections, perception

Learn about how 2025 Asia Study Grant recipient Michael Raditya used the Library's collection grow his research on the Indonesian music genre dangdut.

Blog
Japanese print depicting scenes where Western, Japanese and Chinese people interact at a trading house

Sadahide Utagawa, Yokohama ijin shōkan no zu, 1861, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-151495391

Introduction to the Asian language collection

Learn what is available and how you can find and access items in our Asian language collections in this webinar.

Learning activity for adults
Video
The Japanese print shows the major members of the Satsuma Rebellion, surrounding Takamori Saigo, the leading figure; the text at the back of each image explains more details about each figure.

Yoshitoshi Taiso & 大蘇芳年, Kagoshima bōto shōzō ryakuden Morimoto Junzaburō, Tōkyō, 1877, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-152241305

Japan under the Shoguns (794-1867)

Module

Examine Japan under the Shoguns (794-1867), focusing on the feudal system and its societal impacts.

Digital Classroom

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