Problems in the documentation of the history of fine arts in Japan are explored through a description of the influences of personalities and institutions in the historical study of Japanese art, a survey of the literature and documents involved, and the relationships between museum and library documentation procedures. Suggestions offered for the improvement of documentation procedures include national projects, liaison activities for library and museum associations, cooperative exchanges between libraries and museums, and the systematic and comprehensive organization of resource materials. Statistics on fine arts publications as a percentage of total commercial publications in Japan are presented for the period 1921-1978. (RAA)