A bibliographical study on the first introduction of Western science into Japan

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26750095
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Sociology/History of science and technology
• Research Institution: Prefectural University of Kumamoto
• Principal Investigator: Hiraoka Ryuji 熊本県立大学, 文学部, 准教授 (10637622)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 天文学史 / 宇宙論史 / キリシタン / 南蛮 / イエズス会 / 長崎 / 西学東漸

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this project, we examined how Western cosmology was introduced into Japan for the first time during its “Christian century”(1549-c.1650). Our results can be summarized as three main points: 1) we have published the edited original Latin text and English translation of the cosmological textbook De Sphaera (Part II), to be a bibliographical foundation for future studies in this field. 2) While focusing on the 17th century Nagasaki as a vital spot where the transmission and acceptance had taken place, we have investigated the following themes: biographical study of Kobayashi Kentei, the reception of Western cosmology as evidenced in Nanban unkiron (Yunqi theory of ‘Sourthern Babarians’), and biographical study of Mori family, the official spectacle-maker etc. 3) We have compiled a preliminary catalogue of the related Chinese books and released a web exhibition “The world of Nagasaki Confucian Temple ver. 1.0”.

Free Research Field

科学史、洋学史