THE ANTIQUARIAN BOOKSELLERS ASSOCIATION OF JAPAN
THE ANTIQUARIAN BOOKSELLERS ASSOCIATION OF JAPAN
The Antiquarian Booksellers Association of Japan (ABAJ) was established in November 1964 by ten major antiquarian booksellers of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. This was a time when Japan was experiencing an unprecedented economic growth and Japanese collectors, scholars, and curators were avidly selling and purchasing rare material domestically and internationally. The ABAJ was founded with the aim of developing the Japanese antiquarian book trade to meet an increasingly global age. In 1965, at the recommendation of Mr. Menno Hertzberger of Amsterdam and Mr. Glen Dawson of Los Angeles, the ABAJ became a member organization of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB). Since then, the ABAJ has grown with the motto of ILAB. "AMOR LIBRORUM NOS UNIT" to include 27 members.
My name is Masaji Yagi of Azuchido Rare Books, Co. Ltd., and I was appointed president of ABAJ from April 2024.
I was president of ABAJ 10 years ago and this time I will continue to promote the globalization of the old and rare book dealers’ network that was built up with a solid foundation by many of our senior members, both past and present, especially the late Mitsuo Nitta.
Although the Covid pandemic has passed, now the world is facing numerous other chaotic situations, so it is even more important than ever to exchange international culture and knowledge in a borderless world.
From that viewpoint, ABAJ will do its part to be a base for the exchange of international culture.
We are always happy to receive advice, ideas, or feedback and I look forward to working with you all.
Mr. Masaji Yagi
23rd President of ABAJ
Copyright (C) ABAJ 日本古書籍商協会. All rights reserved.
ABAJ List of Members（PDF/336KB）