field in modern Japan. In 1929, the present name of the Institute, Shiryō hensan-jo, was adopted; and in 1950, after several decades under the Faculty of Letters at the University, it acquired an independent status within Tokyo University. Today, the Historiographical Institute continues to play a central role in the compiling, cataloging, and restoring of historical materials. Though most of the work focuses on the pre-modern period, historians of the Historiographical Institute have also done extensive work with regard to Meiji documents. Administrative leadership The leadership of the Historiographical Institute has ensured that its contributions have been outstanding and productive for more than a century. These men were: Hanawa Hokiichi, 1793 Hoshino Hisashi, April 1895-January 1899 Mikami Sanji, January 1899-July 1919 Kuroita Katsumi, July 1919-July 1920 Tsuji Zennosuke, July 1920-March 1938 Ryū Susumu, March 1938-March 1951 Sakamoto Tarō, April 1951-March 1962. In the years after Sakamoto Tarō, the indefinite term for headship has been revised—three-year terms from 1962-1971, and two-year terms since that time. The current director of the Institute is Masaharu Ebara. Departments of the Institute The Institute is composed of five Research Departments, a Library, a Conservation Laboratory, a Center for the Study of Visual Sources, and an Administrative Office. Presently, the research staff consists of sixteen professors, seventeen associate professors, and twenty-three research associates. The five research departments are: 1.) The Department of Ancient Materials, 2.) The Department of Medieval Materials, 3.) The Department of Early Modern Materials, 4.) The Department of Old Documents and Diaries, and 5.) The Department of Special Materials. The Department of Ancient Materials is engaged in the study of historical materials concerning the Nara, Heian, and Kamakura periods (from the 9th to the 14th century). The Department of Medieval Materials is engaged in the study of historical materials concerning the Muromachi and Azuchi-Momoyama periods (from the 14th to the 17th century). The Department of Early Modern Materials is engaged in the study of historical materials concerning the Edo (Yedo) period (from the 17th to the 19th century). The Department of Old Documents and Diaries is devoted to the study of, obviously, old documents and diaries. Finally, the Department of Special Materials is devoted to the study of various special materials including cultural properties, Japanese old-style signatures, historical geography, and overseas materials relating to Japan. Publications The Historiographical Institute has been responsible for the compilation and publication of a vast number of resources