USSH inaugurates Nishimura Masanari Reading Room

Dr. Nishimura Masanari is a Japanese scholar with over twenty years of research on Vietnam in the fields of archaeology, history, culture, and anthropology. In particular, Dr. Nishimura Masanari is a foreign scholar with a deep and broad understanding of Vietnamese archaeology; not only in terms of spatial areas (regions), time periods (from prehistoric to historical times), and ancient cultures, but also in depth regarding specific subjects: bronze drums, early agriculture, urban archaeology, ceramics, and commercial ceramics.

Japanese scientist with strong ties to Vietnam - Dr.Nishimura Masanari passed away in Vietnam in 2013 while on his way to investigate Dạm Pagoda in Bắc Ninh.

Dr. Nishimura Masanari, along with archaeologists from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the Institute of Archaeology, the National Museum of History, etc., has conducted numerous excavations, explorations, and archaeological investigations in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. He possesses a valuable collection of materials on history, archaeology, culture, and anthropology not only of Vietnam but also of Southeast Asia.

Dr. Nishimura Masanari and his wife, Dr. Noriko Nishino, were instrumental in establishing two museums: the Duong Xa Pottery Relic Museum in Bac Ninh and the Kim Lan Ceramics and History Museum in Hanoi. He also founded the Southeast Asian Underground Heritage Protection Fund in 2001 and has been involved in training students and young professionals in heritage protection in Vietnam.

In June 2013, Dr. Nishimura Masanari died in an accident while on his way to investigate Dạm Pagoda (Bac Ninh). His passing is a great loss to the field of archaeology in the region, especially to Vietnamese archaeologists.

Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lam Thi My Dung, Dr.Noriko Nishino and Associate Professor Vu Van Quan performed the opening ceremony of the Nishimura Masanari Reading Room.

With deep affection for Vietnam, its people, and its culture, and wishing to continue expressing Dr. Nishimura Masanari's love for the country he considered his second home, his family decided to donate his entire book collection to a prestigious institution for training and research in social sciences and humanities in Vietnam. His wife, Dr. Noriko Nishino, chose the Department of History at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities as the recipient and utilizer of the valuable materials he left behind.

The school decided to build the Nishimura Masanari Reading Room to express gratitude for the contributions of the Japanese scientist to the development of archaeology in Vietnam. This reading room houses approximately 7,000 books and journals covering five main fields: the Stone Age, early agriculture, Dong Son culture and bronze drums, ancient cities of East Asia and Southeast Asia, ceramics and the history of ceramics in East Asia and Southeast Asia…

Mr. and Mrs. Nishimura Kenji and Nishimura Mariko - his parents - also donated 500,000 yen to the Department to use as a fund for preserving and utilizing the library in the most effective way.

At the opening ceremony of the Reading Room, Dr. Noriko Nishino said she was deeply moved to receive the valuable scientific materials that her husband had accumulated during nearly 30 years of research. Sharing the value of this collection with Vietnamese colleagues was also a dream of Dr. Nishimura Masanari during his lifetime. She hopes this will be a reliable address, a space for meeting and exchanging ideas among science enthusiasts; so that friends and colleagues will always remember him and the affection Dr. Nishimura Masanari had for Vietnam.

Associate Professor Vu Van Quan, Head of the History Department, stated that the Department will preserve and effectively utilize this resource. The Nishimura Masanari Reading Room will also serve as a source of inspiration and support for scientific research passions, as a symbol of friendship and camaraderie between scientists, historians, and archaeologists from Vietnam and Japan.

On behalf of the University, Professor Pham Quang Minh (Rector) expressed his appreciation for the contributions and deep affection for Vietnam shown by Dr. Nishimura Masanari's family. The University will always remember him and his family as its own and will be ready to stand by them and provide support in any circumstances they may need.