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Cocofuri is collaborating with Tokyo’s Toyo Bunko (The Oriental Library) library for a unique cosplay event. Cosplayers and their photographers can make reservations to use the library for photo shoots on April 10, April 24, and June 17.

Toyo Bunko is Japan’s largest Asian studies library, and it is home to about 1 million volumes. Cosplay photo sessions will be available in the Morrison Archive area, which contains about 24,000 books, paintings, and booklets. The archive also includes some volumes that the Japanese government recognizes as national treasures and important cultural properties.

According the the Toyo Bunko Museum website, Toyo Bunko founder Hisaya Iwasaki purchased the Morrison collection, which is the museum’s most famous collection, in 1917. The volumes originated from George Ernest Morrison, an Australian adventurer and journalist who lived in Peking (now known as Beijing). The collection includes Morrison’s foreign texts related to East Asia that Iwasaki supplemented with additional volumes.

Because the library is essentially an art museum, flash photography and the use of strobe lighting is normally prohibited. However, cosplay event participants will have special permission to use these types of lights with part of the book collection.

The cosplay photography event is an exclusive opportunity that will be available on only three days. People who participate on either April 10 or April 24 will be able to reserve a session on June 17 for half price. Additionally, the June 17 event will offer an expanded area available for photography.

[Via Nijimen]