The 1st Step evolutionary of Japanese medicine from empirical herbalism to scientific pharmacology and natural science by UDAGAWA Kaien

1995 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

• Project/Area Number: 06680071
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for General Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: 科学技術史(含科学社会学・科学技術基礎論)
• Research Institution: THE UNIVERSITY OF THE ATR
• Principal Investigator: DOHKE Tatsumasa THE UNIVERSITY OF THE ATR,Faculyt of Liberal Arts professor, 教養学部, 教授 (40016340)
• Project Period (FY): 1994 – 1995
• Keywords: UDAGAWA Kaien / UDAGAWA Famiry at Kajibashi / "Sei-setsu-Naika-Senyo" / herbalism / Dutch learning / UDAGAWA three generations : Kaien・Genshin・Yoan / History of western learning / History of science in Japan

Research Abstract

In the beginning, UDAGAWA Kaien (1756-1798) learned Japanese & chinese herb from his father-in law, then he learned western herbal medicine from his teachers & Dutch/Japanese translators. His teachers among others were KATSURAGAWA Hoshu, NAKAGAWA Junan and ISHII Tsuneuemon. He translated the Dutch internal medicine book : JOHANNES DE GORTER, "GEZUIVERDE GENEESKONST" into Japanese titled "Sei-Setsu-Naika-Senyo" In order to translate this book, UDAGAWA Kaien was forced to study western medicine, pharmacology, botany. But he had to especially study chemistry because chemical process to make western medicine such as distilllation were still unknown in Japan.
Due to his sudden illness and death, UDAGAWA Kaien was not able to establish western pharmacology and chemistry in Japan, but his works were realized by his son-in-law UDAGAWA Genshin, & Genshin's son-in-law UDAGAWA Yoan.