How to use this Database
Index
1. General Instructions2. Search Functions
2-0. Top page ∥
2-1. Keyword Search ∥
2-2. Search by Genre ∥
2-3. Advanced Search ∥
2-4. Search Tips
3. About the screen
1. General Instructions
・Please use the latest version of web browsers/players supporting HTTP Live Streaming(HLS)*.
*Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Safari, preinstalled player of Android/iOS
(Internet Explorer is not supported.)
・We have confirmed operations in the environment below:
Mozilla Firefox 55, Google Chrome 60, Safari, preinstalled player of Android 6/iOS 10
・The outline of the Historical Recordings Collection can be found at this page.
2. Search Functions
2-0. Top page
The Historical Recordings Collection provides

2-1. Keyword Search
Enter one or more keywords in Japanese characters in the search box. Any word(s) from the title, the names of the creator (Lyricist, Composer, Artist/Performer, Arranger), publisher (Label Name), or the description, can be used as keywords. Persistent ID (*) can also be a keyword.
*A persistent identifier is an identifier given to each title, in the form of "info:ndljp/pid/{NUMBER}". NUMBER can also be used as a keyword by itself.
#Note: Search keywords must be entered in Japanese characters unless the metadata are described in English.
e.g., the sound recordings composed or sung by the composer/artists that have English names such as Johnny Watson, Burton Crane, and Clarke Johnston.
By checking the checkbox “Available Online”, you can search only the recordings available online. If you are interested in all recordings that can be listened to in the NDL and Rekion partner libraries, please do not check.
*A persistent identifier is an identifier given to each title, in the form of "info:ndljp/pid/{NUMBER}". NUMBER can also be used as a keyword by itself.
#Note: Search keywords must be entered in Japanese characters unless the metadata are described in English.
e.g., the sound recordings composed or sung by the composer/artists that have English names such as Johnny Watson, Burton Crane, and Clarke Johnston.
By checking the checkbox “Available Online”, you can search only the recordings available online. If you are interested in all recordings that can be listened to in the NDL and Rekion partner libraries, please do not check.
When entering more than one keyword, separate the words by a space.
By way of example, searching “荒城の月” sung by “中山悌一”. With entering “中山悌一 荒城の月” in the search box, search results are displayed as follows:

Keyword is highlighted. In this way, the sound recording which is titled “荒城の月” sung by 中山悌一 can be found.
2-2. Search by Genre
With clicking each genre at the “Browse by Genre” on the top page, list of recordings by genre can be shown.
Also, you can refine search results to a specific genre using the facets “Genres of Historical Recordings” on the left-side of search results.
For detailed information of genres in the Historical Recordings Collection, see "About Historical Recording Collection"―"Genres".
Also, you can refine search results to a specific genre using the facets “Genres of Historical Recordings” on the left-side of search results.
For detailed information of genres in the Historical Recordings Collection, see "About Historical Recording Collection"―"Genres".
2-3. Advanced Search
The advanced search interface will be opened if you click “Advanced Search” on the top page.

You can search by parameters explained below.
No. | Tab | Explanation |
---|---|---|
1 | Keyword | Enter a keyword in Japanese characters. You can search any word(s) from the title, the names of the creator (Lyricist, Composer, Artist/Performer, Arranger), the publisher (Label Name), or the description. |
2 | Title | Enter the title of recordings you are searching for. |
3 | Creator(Lyricist, Composer, Artist/Performer) | Enter the names of the creators (Lyricist, Composer, Artist/Performer, Arranger) of the recordings. Click on the "Author List" to see a creator list. |
4 | Label Name(publisher) | Enter the Label Name (publisher). |
5 | Genre | Enter the name of genre of the recordings you are searching for. Like the other keywords, you must enter the name of genre in Japanese characters.
(e.g. “邦楽”(Japanese traditional music) “歌舞伎” (Kabuki) ) See "About Historical Recording Collection"―"Genres" for detail. |
6 | Release Date | Enter the year, month of publication. You can leave month and day parameters empty. You can search by specifying the exact date or a range. |
7 | Identifiers |
|
8 | Results Sorted By |
|
9 | Boolean Operators (parameters within a field) | Choose "AND" or "OR". |
10 | Boolean Operators (parameters of different fields) | Choose "AND" or "OR". |
11 | Search | Click to execute the advanced search. If any of the required fields are missing parameters, an error message will be shown. |
12 | Clear | Reset all the parameters and go back to the initial settings. |
2-4. Search Tips
(1) Normalization of Characters
- This system does not distinguish between the following:
Alphabet (Upper/Lower cases, Full-/Half- width)
Numbers (Full-/Half- width)
Variants of Chinese Characters
Hiragana/Katakana: Search results will be the same if you enter a keyword in Hiragana or in Katakana.
Yo-on(Contracted sound)/Soku-on(Choked Sound): Upper case "や", "ゆ","よ", "つ" and lower case "ゃ", "ゅ", "ょ", "っ" are recognized as the same letter. - This system does not recognize the following characters:
<Half-width Characters>
!?=^_#$&~|,/"()[]<>{}:;*.'`+\
<Full-width Characters>
、。,.・:;?!゛゜´`¨^ ̄_/\~∥∥…‥‘’“”
()〔〕[]{}〈〉《》「」『』【】+-±×÷=≠<>≦≧
∞∴♂♀°′″¥$¢£#&*§☆★○●◎◇◆□■△▲▽▼※
〒→←↑↓∈∋⊆⊇⊂⊃∪∩∧∨¬⇒⇔∀∃∠⊥⌒∂∇≡≒≪≫
√∽∝∵∫∬ʼn♯♭♪†‡¶◯─│┌┐┘└├┬┤┴┼━┃┏
┓┛┗┣┳┫┻╋┠┯┨┷┿┝┰┥┸╂
(2) Left-side Match / Exact Match / Phrase Match search
- Left-side Match Search
Please enter "/" before the keyword.
Example: When you enter "/ 図書館", the results will be the titles which begin with "図書館" such as "図書館","図書館の歴史" , and "図書館学概論".
- Exact Match Search
Please enter "/" before and after the keyword.
If the keyword has a space, please enter "/" and """ before and after the keyword.
Example: When you enter "/図書館/", the result will be the items titled exactly as "図書館".
Example: When you enter "/"National Diet Library"/", the results will be items titled exactly "National Diet Library".
- Phrase Match Search
Please put a phrase in double quotations ""
Example: When "library work" is entered, the result includes titles such as "the library work", but excludes "work in library" etc.
3. About the screen
3-1. Search Results
In the Search Results, up to 3,000 records will be shown per one search. If more than 3,000 records are hit, please refine the results using the facets in the left-hand column.

No. | Tab | Explanation |
---|---|---|
1 | Search conditions | The search conditions entered to obtain the result list are shown here. |
2 | Records per Page and Sort Conditions | The settings can be changed here. |
3 | Page Turner | The first, previous, next, or last pages can be viewed by clicking on the arrows, and the pages specified by number by clicking on the number. |
4 | Search Results |
The hit records are shown in the format below. ---------------------------------- Title. Access Restrictions(*). Name of Collection Composer, Artist/Performer, Arranger. (Publisher (Label Name), Product Number, Release Date). ---------------------------------- (*) In the case of recordings available only at the National Diet Library and Rekion partner libraries, label of access restriction will be displayed as “Available only at the NDL/Rekion partner libraries”. In the case of recordings available online, the label of access restriction will not be displayed. Please click on the title to listen to the sound recordings. |
5 | Refine by Keyword | Enter an additional keyword to refine your search. |
6 | Refine by Facet | Refine your search result using the facets "Access Restrictions", "Publication Year", and "Genres of Historical Recordings". |
3-2. Audio Player
Sound recordings will be played on the Audio Player.
Please refer to "1. General Instructions" for recommended operating environment.
Please refer to "1. General Instructions" for recommended operating environment.

No. | Tab | Explanation | Shortcut Key |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Play/Pause | Use this button to play and pause the sound. The sound is automatically played when the file is first opened. | P |
2 | Stop | Click on this button to stop playing. | S |
3 | Frame advance | Click on this button to move through the video one frame at a time. | Ctrl+→:Frame advance Ctrl+←:Frame back |
4 | Changing the aspect ratio to 4:3 | Click this button to change the aspect ratio to 4:3. *Changing the aspect ratio sometimes distorts the video images. |
W |
5 | Changing the aspect ratio to 16:9 | Click this button to change the aspect ratio to 16:9. *Changing the aspect ratio sometimes distorts the video images. |
W |
6 | Sequence Bar | Indicate the point of the audio file currently played. Move the bar to jump to a specific point. You can drag the sequence bar. |
Shift+→: +10 seconds Shift+←: -10 seconds |
7 | Mute | The sound can be muted. Click again to reset the mute. | M |
8 | Volume Slider | Adjust the volume by moving the bar. | ↑: +5% ↓: -5% |
9 | Changing the playback speed | Click this button to select a different playback speed. | U:+25% D:-25% |
The metadata of recordings will be displayed on the left-side of the audio play screen.
The Simple Record that will be displayed in initial state shows;
・ Persistent ID
・ Title
・ Author/Performer (Lyricist, Composer, Artist/Performer, Arranger)
・ Label Name
・ Release Date (Publication Date)
Click on "Detailed Record View" to see all metadata fields. Please note that "Date of Creation" means "Recording Date".
The Simple Record that will be displayed in initial state shows;
・ Persistent ID
・ Title
・ Author/Performer (Lyricist, Composer, Artist/Performer, Arranger)
・ Label Name
・ Release Date (Publication Date)
Click on "Detailed Record View" to see all metadata fields. Please note that "Date of Creation" means "Recording Date".