Smithsonian Libraries and Archives: National Museum of Asian Art Library External

Address: National Museum of Asian Art,1050 Independence Avenue S.W., Room 2058, Washington, DC 20560

Telephone number: 202-633-0477

Contact information: [email protected]

Online catalog External

Digital Collections links
Archives catalog External
Collections Search Center - National Museum of Asian Art External
National Museum of Asian Art: Our Bookshelf External

Hours of service: Monday-Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Open to the public: Yes

Interlibrary loan: Photocopy only

Reference policy: Reference requests are accepted by: Ask-a-Librarian External , telephone or email.

Background note:
Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919) bequeathed his art collections and his books and manuscripts to Smithsonian Institution in 1906. The Freer Gallery of Art and the library opened in 1923. Charles Lang Freer's personal book collection was the nucleus of the present library collection. With a half of its collection in East Asian languages, the library collects materials mainly on Asian art and culture

Books and monographs
The library collection holds approximately 1,500 volumes about religion, dating from the 16th century to the 1990's. Most volumes date from the 20th century. Strengths include coverage of all Asian religions, Christianity in Asia, missionaries in Asia, all of which are related to Asian art and culture. Many are in East Asian languages.

Periodicals and newspapers
The library holds five titles dating from the 1970's through the 1990's. Subject strengths for these journals are Buddhism and art in China and Japan.

Microforms
Four microform titles are related to Asian religions and art.

Vertical files
Includes some Articles, clippings, and pamphlets with an emphasis on religion and art in Asia.

Databases and/or electronic resources External

Digital collections
Archives catalog External
Collections Search Center - National Museum of Asian Art External
National Museum of Asian Art: Our Bookshelf External
Washington Codex: See the details in below.

Other holdings not listed above
Washington Codex

Bible manuscripts; Bible. N.T. Gospels. Greek. Washington manuscript; Buddhism; Buddhist antiquities; Buddhist art; Buddhist art and symbolism; Buddhist sects; Buddhist temples; Christianity--Asia;Confucianism; Enlightenment (Buddhism); Folk religion-Asia; Goddesses--Asia; Gods-Asia; Hindu art; Hinduism; Indigenous religion-Asia; Islam; Jainism; Jesuits-Asia; Judaism--Asia; Magic-Asia; Missions and missionaries--Asia; Mysticism--Asia; Mythology-Asia; Occultism-Asia; Religion and art; Religion and state--Asia; Religious art; Religious articles-Asia; Ritual--Asia; Sacred books--Asia; Shamanism; Shinto; Shinto art; Shinto shrines; Shrines--Asia; Sufism; Supernatural--Asia; Sutras; Symbolism--Asia; Tantrism; Taoism; Taoist art; Witchcraft--Asia; Women and religion--Asia; Worship--Asia; Zen art; Zen Buddhism; Zoroastrianism