Okinawan Studies: Searching Tips

Finding Books and Articles:

General

OneSearch Mānoa looks like, and works like, a search engine you are familiar with. You will see a query box (empty box), and type some keyword(s) you can think of to find the information you are looking for:

Here is a link to the more detailed “how to” page that teaches you how to use OneSearch Mānoa.

Finding resources with a title written in Japanese

Two things need to keep in mind:

1. Romanization
2. Word division

1. Romanization

All of the Library’s records are transliterated into Roman characters (alphabets). For instance, ハワイ大学 is written as Hawai daigaku.

The Library’s records use a specific Romanization style called “Hepburn system.”

ち is chi, not ti

ふ is fu, not hu.

Also,

あなたへの手紙 is written as anata e no tegami (not anata he no tegami)

2. Word Division

Japanese language doesn’t have space between kanjis.

Therefore, Okinawa bungaku sen = 沖縄文学選

There is no white space 沖 and 縄.

The word division is called “wakachigaki / 分かち書き” in Japanese, and this is critical when you find materials in Romaji (English alphabets).

You do not need to know all of word division rules. However, knowing the word division helps you locate the specific titles without getting a “no record found” result.

Caveat: The materials written in Japan and recently added to the Library’s Collection can be searched in Japanese writing. However, I would strongly recommend to search the library resources with a title or an author’s name in Romaji, especially when you did not find any results in search.

Please read below to understand how to search materials in Japanese.

http://www.hawaii.edu/asiaref/japan/online/rom_guide.htm

http://guides.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/japan/basic

If you would like to increase the precision in searching materials written in Japanese, please read this PDF file that the Library of Congress has created.

Where is the book with a call number <PL886.R92 A847 1981>?

In order to locate items in Hamilton Library, please pay close attention to Location! By location, please find out whether or not an item is classified as part of East Collection or Asia Collection. 

Below is a screenshot from OneSearch Mānoa and from Voyager (OPAC) for the iten titled Ashibinaa （あしびなぁ）.

(1) OneSearch

(2) Voyager

As shown with a red line and a yellow highlighter, the location is Hamilton EAST, which is on the 3rd floor.

What does "In Process" mean?

In Process means that the item you found is in the process of being put on the shelf. If you see "In Process" or "In cataloging," please request the item by following the procedures below:

1. Sign in with your UH Mānoa ID and password by going to the Get It section, then click "Sign in."
2. Once you are signed in, choose "Hold or transfer this item."

If you are using Voyager, choose "Get This Item."

If you are using a public computer or have not been signed in, you will be asked to log in with your ID and password to use the "Get This Item" feature. 

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Reference Hours: M-F: 10am - 2pm

Email: asiaref@hawaii.edu 

Phone: (808) 956-8116

Ask Us: 

https://manoa.hawaii.edu/library/help/ask-us/