Philosophy and Religion Bibliographies (Subject Bibliography) Published in the Japanese Language

updated on July 27th, 2023
by Humanities Room

This webpage introduces search tools (subject bibliographies) chiefly in the Japanese language available mainly in the Tokyo Main Library Humanities Room to find reference resources (books, journal articles, etc.) related to philosophy and religion.

To search for journal articles, please refer to Article Index of Periodicals in Japanese.

Numbers shown in brackets 【】 indicate the NDL call number for an item.

Items following the materials and database information is as follows below.
[Range]: Indicates the range of years during which the material of interest was cataloged and the material format
[Organization]: Indicates the content of individual volumes in multi-volume works
[Order]: Indicates the order in which a bibliography is filed
[Index]: Indicates the index of type

1. Philosophy and Thought

1-1. General

"Shiso tetsugakusho soran" (Comprehensive list of books on thought and philosophy). 2001-2010. vol.1, 2 (Nichigai Associates　2011)
[Range] 2001-2010. Books
[Organization] Vol.1 (Thought, philosophy, and ethics), Vol.2 (Thought and philosophy in particular fields)
[Order] Volume> Classification> Title
[Index] Author name, subject name
"Shiso tetsugakusho zenjoho" (Comprehensive information on books on thought and philosophy). 1945-2000. vol.1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (Nichigai Associates　2001　【H1-G5】)
[Range] 1945-2000. Books
[Organization] Vol.1 (An outline of philosophy and particular theories of philosophy), Vol.2 (History of thought and philosophy), Vol.3 (Ethics, virtue, and philosophy of mind), Vol.4 (Thought in social sciences), Vol.5 (Thought in sciences, arts, and religion)
[Order] Volume> Classification> Title
[Index] Book title, author name, subject name
"Tetsugaku meicho kaidai"(Annotated bibliographiy of classics of philosophy) (Shunjusha　1955　【103.1-Sy998t】)
A commentary of historical literatures on Western philosophy.
[Range] Books
[Order] By author name
[Index] None

1-2. Japan

Okura Seishin Bunka Kenkyujo, ed., "Nihon shisoshi bunken kaidai"(Annotated bibliography of the history of Japanese thought) (New edition　Kadokawa Shoten　1992　【H1-E6】)
Commentary of selected authoritative literatures on the history of Japanese thought. It also includes information on reference literature and reprints.
[Range] Antiquity-1868
[Order] By book title
[Index] Author name, book title, personal name (book title and personal names are in stroke-count order for the Chinese characters)
Takeo Mitsuhashi, "Meiji zenki shisoshi bunken"(A bibliography of books on the history of thought published in the early Meiji period) (Meijido Shoten　1976　【H1-6】)
Abstract of books (*holdings of the author) on the history of thought published in the early Meiji period: physical descriptions, tables of contents, explanatory notes, prefaces and epilogues, the main texts, etc. It includes notes from reference literatures.
[Range] 1865-1889
[Order] By publication date
[Index] Classification index (included at the beginning of 'classified catalog'), book title, personal name, Westerner's name, publisher and bookstore (by region)
[Notes] 'Bibliography list of reference books' included at the end of book
Yoshio Sezai, Tomohisa Furuta, ed., "Kagaku tetsugaku bunken mokuroku (Bibliography of literature on the philosophy of science). Part 1*"*(Yoshio Sezai　1994　【H1-E8】)
[Range] 1868-1945. Books, parts of books, journal articles
[Order] Classification> Publication date
[Index] Author name
[Notes] A 'List of periodicals surveyed' included at the end of the book
Database of Japanese Intellectual History (Department of Japanese Intellectual History, Tohoku University
It includes data of 'Bibliography of Japanese intellectual history studies' published in "Nihon shisoshi kenkyu"(Japanese intellectual history studies) (Department of Japanese Intellectual History, Graduate School/Faculty of Arts and Letters, Tohoku University　annual　【Z9-117】), and research papers more than 5 pages in length on Japanese intellectual history, Japanese studies, and Japanese cultural studies which have been published since 1965.
[Range] 1968-2011. Books, parts of books, journal articles
Nihon tetsugakushi kenkyu eno annai(A Guide to Research on the History of Japanese Philosophy) (Division of Philosophy, Graduate School of Letters/Faculty of Letters, Kyoto University)
In addition to bibliography of authoritative literature for research on the history of Japanese philosophy, it includes bibliographies of each philosopher which users can access by Japanese alphabetical order of the initial phonetic letter of their family name.
[Range] Books
[Order] By philosopher's name

2. Religion

To search for research literature and related books on each sect in addition to using the items presented below, please go to the NDL Search, and open the "Refiners" and enter the name of the religion (or sect) in the "Title"field. You can also add "Subject "filed, and enter the name of the religion (or sect) in Japanese. To narrow your search down to bibliographies, please enter name of the religion or sect followed by "書目" (Example: 日蓮宗　書目).

2-1. General

"Shukyo no hon zenjoho (Comprehensive information on religious books). 2000-2005*"* (Nichigai Associates　2006　【HK1-H2】)
"Shukyo no hon zenjoho (Comprehensive information on religious books). 1995-2000*"* (Nichigai Associates　2000　【HK1-G1】)
"Shukyo no hon zenjoho (Comprehensive information on religious books). 1986-1995*"* (Nichigai Associates　1995　【HK1-G1】)
[Range] 1986-2005. Books
[Order] Religion> Sect/Subject> Publication date or book title
[Index] Author name, subject
Kazuo Kasahara, ed., "Nihon shukyoshi kenkyu nyumon"(An introduction to studies on the history of Japanese religions) (Hyoronsha　1971　【HK33-15】)
This work provides annotated bibliographies by each researcher of research literature.
[Range] 1945-1970. Books, parts of books, journal articles
[Order] Era> Religion/Subject> Author name
[Index] 'Bibliography of research literature' included. Author name> Paper presentation date
Tetsuya Ohama [et al.], ed., "Nihon shukyoshi kenkyu bunken mokuroku" (Bibliography of studies on history of Japanese religions) vol.1, 2 (Iwata Shoin　1995-2000　【HK1-G2】)
This work covers the results of studies on regional history.
[Range] Books, parts of books, journal articles
[Organization] Vol.1 (1971-1986 (*including some items published in 1987)), Vol.2 (1987-1997)
[Order] Chiefly by era> Author name> Publication date
[Index] None
Susumu Shimazono, Kenji Ishii, Masahiro Shimoda, Hidetaka Fukazawa, ed., "Shukyogaku bunken jiten"(Dictionary of literature on religious studies) (Kobundo　2007　【HK1-J1】)
This is a collection of bibliographies (including some original texts) with commentary on religious studies covering all eras and places, and related fields.
[Range] Books
[Order] By author name
[Index] Book title, author name, subject (*all types of indexes are in Japanese and Western languages)
[Notes] The beginning of the book contains a list of literature by fields and a list of authors. The end of the book contains an annotated bibliography of dictionaries, book series, etc.
Written and edited by Masakazu Tanatsugu, Hiroshi Yamanaka, "Shukyogaku nyumon"(An introduction to religious studies) (Minerva Shobo　2005　【HK13-H30】)
It includes 'Shukyo wo manabu hito no tame no kihon bunken' (Essential literature for students of religious studies) (pp.219-246) and 'Gendai no shukyo kenkyu 100sen' (100 selections of contemporary study on religion) (pp.247-251).
[Range] Books
"Shukyo kenkyu" Database Ronbun Kensaku(Database of Articles Published in "Religious Studies") (Japanese Association for Religious Studies)
[Range] Users can search articles published in "Religious Studies" (Japanese Association for Religious Studies　triannual　【Z9-184】) from no.1 (1917) to no.340 (2004). Full text of no.1-145 (1955) is available.

2-2. Shinto

Kokugakuin Daigaku Nihon Bunka Kenkyujo, ed., "Shinto jiten"(Shinto dictionary) (Kobundo　1994　【HL2-E15】)
It includes 'Shinto bunken' (Literature on Shinto) (pp.545-594) and 'Bunken ichiran :kenkyu bunken, jinja shiryo kankei bunken )' (List of literatures: research literature and literature related to materials on Shinto shrines) (pp. 733-763).
It also contains summaries of literatures on Shinto and research histories, commentary on essential publications, annotated books, research bibliographies, and more.
A reduced-size-edition【HL2-G8】 is also available.
[Range] Books
Ariyoshi Saeki, ed., "Shinto bunrui somokuroku"(A comprehensive classified bibliography of Shinto) (Meicho Fukyukai　1988　【HL1-E2】)
*This is a reproduction of the following books published in 1937:
Ariyoshi Saeki, ed., "Shinto bunrui somokuroku"(A comprehensive classified bibliography of Shinto) (Shun'yodo Shoten　1937　【170.31-Sa134s】)
This contains bibliographies of approximately 10,000 Shinto-related publications.
[Range] Antiquity-circa 1911
[Order] 13 categories> Book title
[Index] Book title
[Notes] 'An annotated bibliography of titles of books difficult to read' (with index) is included. 'A selected bibliography of SHINTO in foreign languages' included at the end of the book.
Kokugakuin Daigaku Nihon Bunka Kenkyujo, ed., "Shinto ronbun somokuroku"(A general bibliography of articles on Shinto) (Daiichi Shobo　1987　【HL1-E3】)
*This is a reprint of Kokugakuin Daigaku Nihon Bunka Kenkyujo, ed., "Shinto ronbun somokuroku" (Meiji Jingu Shamusho　1963　【170.31-Ko547s】)

Kokugakuin Daigaku Nihon Bunka Kenkyujo, ed., "Shinto ronbun somokuroku. Zoku"(A general bibliography of articles on Shinto. Supplementary volume) (Daiichi Shobo　1989　【HL1-E3】)

[Range] 1868-1986. Journal articles
[Order] Classification volume (Classification> Publication date), Personal name volume
[Index] The main volume includes an 'Index of main subjects'; the supplementary volume includes an 'Index of keywords'.
[Notes] A list of included journals added as an appendix.
Kokugakuin Daigaku Nihon Bunka Kenkyujo, ed., "Shinto jinbutsu kenkyu bunken mokuroku"(A bibliography of research on notable Shinto figures) (Kobundo　2000　【HL1-G6】)
This work focuses on deceased notable figures up to 1996 deeply involved with Shinto such as those related to shrines, Shintoists, scholars, and other associated individuals. It also includes brief biographies and research literature for each figure (categorized into books, articles, dictionaries and short biographical sketches, etc.).
[Range] -March 1997. Books, parts of books, journal articles
[Order] By personal name
[Index] None
"Gendai shinto kenkyu shusei. Bekkan"(Anthology of modern Shinto studies. Separate volume) (Jinja Shinposha　2000　【HL11-G62】)
This is composed of an index and a catalog of books.
[Range] Books published between August 1946 and March 2000
[Order] NDC Classification> Publication date
[Index] The index is to be used to consult citations in research articles included in the main volumes.
[Notes] The main volumes (vol.1-10) collect and classify important postwar articles on Shintoism. They include commentaries on articles, volume and issue numbers of the journals which publish those articles.

2-3. Buddhism

＜General＞

"Meiji Taisho Showa zenki zasshi kiji sakuin shusei. Jinbun kagaku hen. Dai 40kan (◎-Showa 10 nen 3 gatsu ) (Bukkyogaku 1)" (Composite index of Japanese magazine and journal articles from the Meiji to the early Showa periods (1868-1948). Humanities. Vol.40. (* - March 1935) (Buddhist studies. 1) (Koseisha　1997　【UP54-E16】)
*This is a facsimile reproduction of Butten Kenkyukai, ed., "Bukkyo ronbun somokuroku" (Complete bibliography of articles on Buddhism) (Revised and enlarged edition　Taikando Shoten　1935　【R180.3-B97ウ】) (National Diet Library Digital Collections).
[Range] 1868-1935. Journal articles
[Order] Classification> Consecutive number
[Index] Classification
*users can search with The Complete Database for Japanese Magazine and Periodicals from Meiji Era to the Present (Zassaku Plus) (Database subscribed to by this library: available within the NDL only)
[Notes] 'Table of journals consulted' included at the end of the book.
"Bukkyogaku ronshu soran"(Comprehensive list of Buddhism studies literature) (Kokusho Kankokai　1983　【HM1-55】)
Includes list of literature related to Buddhist studies organized by two or multiple authors, such as collected research papers, book series, etc.
[Range] 1868-1980. Books, parts of books, some journal articles
[Order] By book title
[Index] Author name, subject
"Bukkyogaku kankei zasshi bunken soran"(Comprehensive list of Buddhism-related journal articles) (Kokusho Kankokai　1983　【HM1-56】)
[Range] Comprehensive list of the table of contents of 288 journals published between 1868-1981
[Order] By journal title
[Index] Author name (including pseudonym)
Ryukoku Daigaku Toshokan, ed., "Bukkyogaku kankei zasshi ronbun bunrui mokuroku"(Classified catalog of journal articles related to Buddhist studies) vol.[1] (Ryukoku Daigaku Shuppanbu　1931　【180.31-R99z】) (National Diet Library Digital Collections)

Ryukoku Daigaku Toshokan, ed., "Bukkyogaku kankei zasshi ronbun bunrui mokuroku Showa 6-Showa 30" (Classified catalog of journal articles related to Buddhist studies published between 1931-1955) vol.[2] (Ryukoku Daigaku Shuppanbu [et al.]　1961　【180.31-R99z】)

Ryukoku Daigaku Bukkyogaku Kenkyushitsu, ed., "Bukkyogaku kankei zasshi ronbun bunrui mokuroku"(Classified catalog of journal articles related to Buddhist studies) vol.[3] (Bukkyogaku Kankei Zasshi Ronbun Bunrui Mokuroku Henshu Iinkai [et al.]　1972　【HM1-5】)

Bukkyogaku Kankei Zasshi Ronbun Bunrui Mokuroku Henshu Iinkai, ed., "Bukkyogaku kankei zasshi ronbun bunrui mokuroku. 4 (Showa 45nen 1 gatsu-Showa 58nen 12gatsu)"(Classified catalog of journal articles related to Buddhist studies. 4 (January 1970-December 1983)) (Bukkyogaku Kankei Zasshi Ronbun Bunrui Mokuroku Henshu Iinkai　1986　【HM1-5】)

These catalogs include lists of literature on Buddhist and Jodo Shinshu sect studies.
[Range] 1868-1983. Journal articles, some newspaper articles (vol.[1] only includes), parts of books (vol.[2], [3] and 4 include)
[Order] Classification> Publication date (*volume published in 1931 is by research paper title order)
[Index] Author name, subject name. Vol.4 has a separate index.
[Notes] 'Table list of selected journals' included in the beginning of the book. Vol.4 includes selected omnibus reviews, travelogues, and essays.
INBUDS: Indian and Buddhist Studies Treatise Database (Japanese Association of Indian and Buddhist Studies)
[Range] Books, parts of books, journal articles

＜Jodo Shinshu＞

Shinshugaku Kenkyukai, ed., "Shinshugaku kankei zasshi ronbun mokuroku. Showa 57 (1982)-Heisei 6 (1994)" (Bibliography of journal articles on Jodo Shinshu. 1982-1994) (Nagata Bunshodo　1997　【HM1-G9】)
[Range] 1982-1994. Journal articles, parts of books
[Order] By publication year
[Index] Author name, subject name
[Notes] A 'Table list of selected journals' included at the beginning of the book
*For journal articles published before 1981, please refer to the " Bukkyogaku kankei zasshi ronbun bunrui mokuroku" (Classified catalog of journal articles related to Buddhist studies) (4 volumes) above.

＜Jishu＞

Makoto Onozawa, ed., "Jishu bunken mokuroku"(Bibliography of literature on Ji-shu) (Koshi Shoin　2016　【HM1-L23】)
[Range] Meiji period-present. Books, parts of books, journal articles
[Order] By author name
[Index] None
[Notes] It includes an introduction to the contents and notes on the illustrations (monochrome, color, etc.).

＜Mikkyo＞

Yushin Natsume, "Mikkyo kankei zasshi ronbun mokuroku"(Bibliography of journal articles on Mikkyo) (Bunseido　1975　【HM1-15】)
[Range] Meiji period-1965. Journal articles, books, parts of books
[Order] Classification> Subheading > Chiefly publication date
[Index] None
Shuchiin Daigaku Mikkyo Gakkai, ed., "Mikkyo kankei bunken mokuroku"(Bibliography of literature on Mikkyo) (New revised and enlarged edition　Dohosha Media Plan　2007　【HM1-H40】)
[Range] -March 2005. Books, parts of books, journal articles
[Order] Classification> Book, Journal> Subheading> Book/Journal title
[Index] By author name
[Notes] In addition to academic books, exhibition catalogs, introductory guides, and general introductions to subjects are included. It also includes some journal articles written in foreign languages.

＜Sotoshu＞

Sotoshu Kankei Bunken Mokuroku : Online Kensaku(Online Search of Bibliography of Literature related to Sotoshu) (Research Center for Soto Zen Buddhism)
User can search bibliography of literature on Dogen Zenji, Keizan Zenji, and the Sotoshu in Japan.
[Range] 1868- March 2012. Books, parts of books, journal articles, newspaper articles, monthly bulletins attached to collected works.
[Notes] This is an online version of "Sotoshu kankei bunken mokuroku" (Bibliography of literature on Sotoshu) vol.1, 2,and 3, "Shugaku kenkyu kiyo"(Bulletin of Soto Zen studies) (Sotoshu Sogo Kenkyu Center Shugaku Kenkyu Bumon　annual　【Z9-849】) (Formerly "Sotoshu Shugaku Kenkyujo kiyo" (Bulletin of the Institute for Soto Studies))

＜Shugendo＞

Hitoshi Miyake, ed., "Shugendo jiten"(A dictionary of Shugendo) (Tokyodo Shuppan　1986　【HM2-114】)
'Index of literature' (pp.409-429) includes literature related to Shugendo published from the early Meiji period until 1985.
[Range] Books, parts of books, journal articles
[Order] Classification> Author name
[Notes] For literature published in and after 1986, please refer to 'Shugendo kankei bunken mokuroku' (Bibliography of literature related to Shugendo), included in "Sangaku shugen"(Japanese mountain religion) (Nihon Sangaku Shugen Gakkai　semi-annual　【Z9-851】).This bibliography is included in no.3-5, 7, and issues nearly every other one to the present).

2-4. Christianity

Kokusai Kirisutokyo Daigaku Ajia Bunka Kenkyu Iinkai, ed.,"Nihon kiritsutokyo bunken mokuroku (Bibliography of Christianity in Japan). Part 2*"* (Kokusai Kirisutokyo Daigaku　1965　【190.31-Ko548n】)
This bibliography includes books and translations related to Christianity.
[Range] 1858-1912
[Order] Classification> Book title
[Index] Book title, author name
[Notes] This is a follow-up volume to "Christianity in Japan: a Bibliography of Japanese and Chinese Sources. Part 1 (1543-1858)" (Committee on Asian Cultural Studies, International Christian University　1960　【016.23-K79c】). There is also a supplemental volume "A bibliography of Christianity in Japan: Protestantism in English sources (1859-1959) " (The Committee on Asian Cultural Studies, International Christian University　1966　【016.284-K79b】).
"Meijiki kirisutokyo bunken mokuroku :honyaku bungaku sonota tokubetsu shiryo"(A bibliography of christianity in the Meiji period: translated literature and other special materials) (Aoyama Gakuin Shiryo Center　1992　【HP1-E8】)
[Range] Chiefly books and journals (*titles only) published in the Meiji period
[Order] Classification> Book title
[Index] None
Kazuyoshi Terao, 'Nihon Kirisutokyo kankei bunken shusei' [PDF file:134KB] included in "Kenkyujoho" (Institute report) (Nanzan Shukyo Bunka Kenkyujo　(11)　2001　pp.14-45　【Z9-1003】)
[Range] Mainly books
[Order] Classification> Book titles in roman letter alphabetical order
[Index] None
[Notes] Bibliographic information is written in roman letters (*book titles and author names are also in Japanese characters). Each item has an annotated bibliography in Japanese.

2-5.　Islam

Nihon Arab Kankei Kokusai Kyodo Kenkyu Kokunai Iinkai, ed., "Nihon ni okeru Arabkenkyu bunken mokuroku : 1875-1979*"*(Bibliography of Arab studies in Japan: 1875-1979) (Asia Keizai Shuppankai　1981　【GE3-31】)
[Range] 1875-1979. Books, journal articles, etc.
[Order] By publication date
[Index] Author name, institution name
[Notes] Yasushi Kosugi, Kayoko Hayashi, and Yasushi Tonaga, ed.,"Islramsekai kenkyumanual" (Research guide for Islamic world studies)(Nagoya Daigaku Shuppankai　2008　【GE781-J8】) also describes how to look up research bibliographies, etc.
Bibliographical Database of Islamic and Middle East Studies in Japan 1868-2015 (Documentation Center for Islamic Area Studies, Toyo Bunko)
[Range] 1868-present. Books, journal articles, etc.

2-6. Taoism

Kenji Ishida [et al], ed., "Dokyo kankei bunken soran"(A general survey of bibliographies on Taoism) (Fukyosha　2001　【HR132-G42】)
[Range] End of the 19th century-March 2001. Books, parts of books, journal articles
[Order] Classification> Publication date
[Index] Subject, personal name (names in Chinese characters in stroke-count order)
[Notes] "Dokyo . Dai 3 kan (Dokyo no denpa )" (Taoism. Volume 3 (The transmission of Taoism)) (Hirakawa Shuppansha　1983　【HR132-28】) also includes 'Dokyo kenkyu bunken mokuroku (Bibliography of Taoism research)' which covers literature published from the early Meiji period until 1982. For bibliography in and after 1983, please refer to the "Toho shukyo" (The journal of Eastern religions) (Nihon Dokyo Gakkai　semi-annual　【Z9-218】). "Toho shukyo" (The journal of Eastern religions) carries 'Dokyo kankei chosho ronbun mokuroku' (Bibliography of works and research papers related to Taoism) from no.68 (November 1986) and issues nearly every other one to the present.

2-7. New Religions

Nobutaka Inoue [et al.], ed., "Shinshukyo kenkyu, chosa handbook"(New religions research and investigation handbook) (Yuzankaku Shuppan　1981　【HK2-7】)
A 'Research bibliography' included on pp.259-306.
[Range] Books, parts of books, journal articles
Nobutaka Inoue [et al.], ed., "Shinshukyo jiten"(A dictionary of new religions) (Kobundo　1990　【HK2-E6】)
A 'Research bibliography' included on pp.1023-1068.
[Range] Books, parts of books, journal articles, including bibliographies in foreign languages
Nobutaka Inoue [et al.], ed., "Shinshukyo kyodan jinbutsu jiten"(A dictionary of new religion: religious organizations and personages) (Kobundo　1996　【HK2-G1】)
A 'Research bibliography' included on pp.704-757.
[Range] Books, parts of books, journal articles