What is shoujo manga kan?
It's a non-profitable private library for shoujo manga (girl's comic) books only,
located in Akiruno City, Tokyo.
The abbreviation of the library is "Jomakan".
It was established by a group of people who were participating in pc communications
in Mar.1997 for the purpose of preserving the world of shoujo manga books. It has been
operated by us, a married couple Jun Nakano & Natsuyo Ooi since then.
As of Mar.2014, the library consists of 55,000 books. The books have been donated
by shoujo manga fans all over Japan. Shoujo manga books which were very adored
by owners, associated magazines & books and novelty goods from publishers are kept
in the library.
Our house library which has the atmosphere of Shouwa period is open to the public
once a week.
Our history of shoujo manga kan
Fall 1995, shoujo manga started to become available on pc communications
(such as BBS "The manual of errors network", "Paranemo", etc.).
Numerous people started talking about shoujo manga on line! Also at the Nakano
family home, family members chatted about shoujo manga frequently.
While we were chatting, we had a hard time remembering some of the titles,
names of cartoonists and characters. We were very frustrated by that and wished
there were a "shoujo manga encyclopedia". To provide information and history
about shoujo manga, we thought that we would have to collect numbers of shoujo
manga books from all over the country. To keep all the books, we would need
a large space and would be great if anybody could come to relax and read a book
from our collection anytime... If they wish, a person could even finish an entire series
of books of "Garasu no kamen" since it's finally concluded...(So fascinating)...
This is how we started to plan the establishment of "shoujo manga kan".
Dec.1995, On-line "shoujo manga kan" conference room was born in the "paranemo"
website.
Apr.1996, A rally about "jomakan" was held at a variety store "Mahouya kufurin"
( "kufurin" at present ) in Sangenjaya. "We have to rescue the dying Japanese culture
before it is stamped out!" Started working on the foundation of off-line "shoujo manga kan".
Nov.1996, The building and land for off-line "shoujo manga kan" was found.
Mar.1997, We rented an old house which was located at Hinodemachi in Nishitama-gun,
Tokyo. "Shoujo manga kan" was open to the public on a limited basis.
Aug.1997, There were summer event camps held at "shoujo manga kan" in Hinodemachi.
The amount of donated books were markedly increased around the time.
Sep.1997, Opened home page of "shoujo manga kan".
From 1998~ Shoujo manga kan has been introduced on mass media such as "Nikkei
shinbun", "kyoto shinbun", etc. The library of books had become a collection of over
10,000.
Jan.1999, A "subdivision of shoujo manga kan" was open at a cafe in Kouenji.
(In the year 2000 or so, it was closed.)
Oct.~Dec.2001, Nakano & Ooi moved from Goutokuji, Setagaya-ku to "shoujo manga kan"
in Hinodemachi.
Aug.2002, Shoujo manga kan opened to the public on thursday afternoons.
Public space (jomakan), work space (office for Sarusuberi) and living space
(for Nakano & Ooi) were completed.
Fall 2002, "Let's open your house to the public" campaign gradually started.
The end of 2005~ Magazines, newspapers, TV and web magazines such as "Sanpo no
tatsujin", "Tokyo shinbun", "Yomiuri shinbun", etc. covered shoujo manga kan
and the amount of donated books were again increased greatly.
Oct.2007, Nakano & Ooi attended "The national manga & animation museum foundation
arrangement committee". The shoujo manga kan network was growing gradually.
The beginning of year 2008 to summer 2008, the rented house in Hinodemachi came
under auction because of the landlord's circumstances. We had to leave no matter what.
Mar.2008, Some of our books and associated goods were displayed in a special edition
of Tokyo big site "Tokyo international animation fair 2008". Nakano & Ooi bought a piece
of land with an old one-story house at Ajiro in Akiruno city, Tokyo.
May 2008, Nakano, Ooi and the office of Sarusuberi moved to Ajiro in Akiruno city.
Nov.2008, "Shoujo manga kan" in Hinodemachi closed to the public during winter
(Nov.~Mar.2009). Opened to the public on saturday afternoons from Apr. to Oct.
Jan.2009, Finished setting up the framework of a "new shoujo manga kan" at Ajiro
in Akiruno city, Tokyo (public ceremony).
Mar.2009, Finished building "new shoujo manga kan" painted all light blue.
(Designed by Mr. Kiyoshi Endou, built by Miyoshi Home). Moved all the donated books
from Hinodemachi.
Apr.2009, "New shoujo manga kan" opened to the public on saturday afternoons.
The collection has reached 35,000.
Feb.2011~ Started receiving from one single person a large amount of valuable
collections such as girl's magazines from before & after world war II, shoujo manga
magazines, novelty goods from publishers, associated materials, etc.
The variety of books were increasing.
Nov.2011, A lecture named "Let's open a home museum to share with everybody! ~
visited shoujo manga no yakata (kan) ~" was held at Tokyo Nishigawa university.
Jun.2012, Twice a year, "chiisana chawakai", a small event that people talk about
shoujo manga started in the library.
Sep.2012~ Participated in "Make all the bookcases into libraries to librize".
Apr.2013~ People started visiting from distance such as Nagasaki, Kagoshima,
Hyougo, Miyagi, etc. Also the number of people in their 20's~30's who are interested in
shoujo manga in 1970's begun to increase. In fall 2013, even a young man came
from New York City by himself to visit.
Aug.2013, Participated in the 1st micro library summit (Machi library@ Oosaka
furitsu university).
Nov.2013, In a town of Mie prefecture, people started talking about creating
shoujo manga kan No.2.
Donated books have become approximately 55,000.
By now, we have received a lot of donations and help from so many people.
Thank you so much. We deeply appreciate your interest & support of our mission to
keep shoujo manga alive.
We will keep and treasure the precious shoujo manga books for anyone to enjoy.
Please keep in touch with our shoujo manga kan.
Shoujo manga kan Jun Nakano & Natsuyo Ooi
i2014. 10.05 Updatej