Asian collections

The National Library's Asian language collections focus on contemporary Asia from the 19th century onwards.

Asia

About the Asian collections

Systematic collecting began in the 1950s and covers a range of subjects, such as history, politics, current affairs, society and culture. Books, journals, government publications, magazines and newspapers are supplemented by full-text article databases, e-books, maps, archived websites and ephemeral materials.

The collections are strongest for the countries of East and Southeast Asia, and there are rich holdings of English language materials on Asia.

Phra Malai, Buddhist concept of heaven and hell, retelling in verse nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn4365196

Genji monogatari emaki [Tale of Genji], Page detail from Murasaki Shikibu, b. 978? nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn3093163

Bijin Shinobazunoike o nozomu, Beauty looking at Shinobazu Pond (1895), nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn5744665

Ethnographische Atlas, Ethnographische Atlas – single plate, nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn1077299

Formed Asian collections

The Library has acquired a number of important Western and Asian language formed collections from scholars and bibliophiles, including:

Australian Buddhist Library Collection
Braga Collection (Portuguese in Asia)
Claasz Collection (Sri Lanka)
Coedes Collection (Indo-China)
Harold S. Williams Collection (Japan)
London Missionary Society Collection (China)
Luce Collection (Burma)
Mauritius Collection (Mauritius & Indian Ocean)
McLaren-Human Collection (Korea)
Otley Beyer Collection (Philippines)
Sakakibara Collection (Japan)
Sang Ye Collection (China)
Simon Collection (East Asia)

Highlights

Explore our Asian collections by viewing the highlights below:

Da ban ruo bo luo mi duo jing大般若波羅蜜多經 – see the Library's earliest printed book, a 12th century printing of the Buddhist scriptures in Chinese
London Missionary Society collection – gain an insight into the activities of missionaries in 19th century China
Japanese woodblock print collection – view some of the colourful images from the Library's collection of 19th century Japanese prints

Learn more about our Asian collections

Sepia photograph of a monastery with people stanidng on the balconies

Adam Whyte, King Theebaw's monastery, Fort Mandalay, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-151519086

Burmese collection

The Burmese collections at the National Library of Australia consist of thousands of books, journals and microfilm holdings in Burmese language and Burma/Myanmar-related materials.

Collection guide

A black and white photograph of Khmer Temple gate surrounded by trees

Yves Coffin, [Northern gates of Angkor Thom, view from the south], nla.gov.au/nla.obj-140374407

Cambodian collection

The Library maintains a small but significant collection of Khmer language materials; it consists of publications mainly from Cambodia, plus some from the Cambodian-Australian community in Australia.

Information article

Dancers wearing tradition lion costume performing for Chinese New Year. There are two lions, one red and one yellow, with two people in each costume. Behind them stand spectators and a drummer

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

Chinese collection

The Chinese collection of the National Library is a rich source of information on the history, culture and current affairs of China.

Information article

East Timor collection

The Library actively collects new publications from Timor Leste, including books, journals, newspapers and government publications.

Information article

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

Japanese woodblock print shows a western woman holding the reins of a horse.

Yoshikazu Utagawa & 歌川芳員, Gokakoku no uchi Igirisu nyonin, 1860, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-151442463

Japanese collection

The Japanese collection is a rich source of information on the history, culture and current affairs of Japan.

Information article

Korean collection

The Library's Korean language collection of is the largest and most significant Korean collection in Australia.

Information article

Lao collection

The Library maintains a small but significant collection of Lao language materials.

Information article

Three Buddhist Monks in orange robes sitting around a large spread of food in a temple

June Orford, Buddhist Monks feasting during celebrations for the beginning of the Rains Retreat at the Thai Buddhist Temple in Box Hill, Victoria, 1 August 2004, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-137018135

Thai collection

The Library's Thai collection covers all subject areas, and is especially strong in the fields of humanities and social sciences.

Information article

Vietnamese collection

The Library maintains a collection of Vietnamese language materials consisting of publications from Vietnam and Australian publications in the Vietnamese language.

Information article

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

Page published: 01 Sep 2023

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