The Japanese Wood Engravings and Brush Paintings Collection, 1791-1958, consists of thirty-four color wood engravings created by Japanese artists from the mid 1800s to the 20th century, and three brush paintings created by artist Shuho Kawashima in 1958. This collection is arranged into two series: Series I: Japanese Wood Engravings, 1791-1942; and Series II: Japanese Brush Paintings, 1958.

The thirty-four Japanese wood engravings contained in this collection were initially purchased by the Humanities Department of San José State University as part of a collection of 300 original prints and subsequently housed in the department's reading room. In 1978, a small number of the engravings were selected for an exhibit, which focused on the San José State University library's extensive print collection. The engravings were displayed at Gallery One, located in the Department of Art at San Carlos and Ninth Streets from November 6-17, 1978. In 1982, the decision was made to move the Japanese wood engravings to the San José Special Collections and Archives then located on the third floor of the Wahlquist building. Here they remained until in 2003, they moved to their current home in the Special Collections and Archives facility on the 5th floor of the new Dr. Martin King Jr. Library. The three brush paintings of this collection were created by artist Shuho Kawashima in a demonstration of Japanese brush painting in Dr. Esther Shephard's class in Oriental Literature (English 119) on May 5, 1958.

34 prints and 3 brush paintings in 2 flat file drawers

Copyright is assigned to the San José State University Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Special Collections & Archives. Copyright restrictions may apply to digital reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.