A message to bibliophiles in Ex-libris stamps
BAN Nobutomo
1773-1846
Name
Childhood names: Onogoro, Shugoro
Real name: Korenori
Pen name: Kotoi
Occupation
Retainer of the Obama Domain and kokugaku scholar.
Biographical Sketch
Nobutomo was born into the Yamagishi family, who served the Obama clan (currently Obama City, Fukui Prefecture), but was later adopted by the Ban family, who also served the Obama clan, and in 1806, Nobutomo became head of the Ban family. While serving the Obama clan, he became a devoted follower of the kokugaku scholar Motoori Norinaga, under whose influence Ban wrote detailed collations and minute historical investigations on a wide range of antiquarian books. He maintained friendships with a great many other kokugaku scholars, including Hirata Atsutane, and was highly respected until his death at the age of 74.
Ex-libris stamps
In 1842, at the age of 70, Nobutomo wrote the following about his beloved collection of books.
“After my death, these books could be a hindrance to you, so rather than keeping them all, sell them so they will pass into the possession of those who will appreciate them. I have always said that this is my true intention, and that's why I leave you this message. Some books I loved were marked with the stamp shingo un’nun (After my death...), and others were not. Please stamp any book I acquired myself with that stamp. There is no need to stamp ordinary books. If the Wakasa Sakaike kajin (Wakasa clan, Sakai family) crest is attached to a book, it should be removed.”
Other known ex-libris stamps of Ban Nobutomo include Banshi Shozo, Ban Bunko, and Ban Nobutomo Bunko.
Reading and the size of the ex-libris ownership stamp
身後俟代我珍蔵人伴信友記 (Shingo wareni kawarite chinzo suru hito wo matsu; Ban Nobutomo shirusu): 30 × 26 mm
源伴信友 (Minamoto Ban Nobutomo): 36 × 46 mm
コノフミヲカリテミムヒトアラムニハ、ヨミハテゝトクカヘシタマヘヤ、若狭酒井家々人伴氏蔵本 (Kono humi wo karite mimu hito aramuniha, yomihatete toku kaeshitamaeya, wakasa sakaike kajin Ban shi zohon): 53 × 21 mm
Collection
The Ban Nobutomo Zosho Mokuroku (Catalog of books owned by Ban Nobutomo, copied in 1857) states that his collection comprised 702 volumes in total. Although were no Buddhist scriptures or Chinese classics, there were books on national history, Shinto, language, geography, practices of the court and military households, historical records of temples and shrines, songs, and social customs. Many of these books dealt with the subjects of war, archery, and horses.
Some of the books were donated to the Imperial Household Agency in 1884 by Ban’s descendants, while others have been lost. Parts of Ban collection are now held by Kyoto University, Toyo Bunko, Obama City Library, and the Cabinet Collection of the National Archives of Japan.
The National Diet Library holds 44 items comprising 85 volumes and two scrolls.
Portrait
Portrait painted by Kurihara Nobumitsu, copied in the late Edo Period. [寄別4-2-1-1]
Reference
Ban Nobutomo Zenshu, Kokusho Kankokai, 1907-1909. [121.27-B56b]
