わが国の19世紀における近代地学思想の伝播とその萌芽

The Spread and Growth of Western Geological Thought in Japan of the 19th Century

Doi Masatami

廣島大學地學研究報告

Geological report of the Hiroshima University

Before the 16th century, Japan did not have direct contact with the Western scientific thought and that time, Japanese geo-scientific idea had been influenced mostly by Chinese learning especially the "I Ching" (The Classic of Change), "Kuan Tzu" and books of "Ren Tshao", etc.
At the end of the 16th century, foreign contact began with the first landing of the Portuguese, then followed by Spain, England and Holland. During this period, geological thought in Europe was not widespread enough compared with other sciences.
In the beginning however of the Tokugawa Period of Feudalism (1603-1868), Japan's intercourse with the western countries except Holland was completely interrupted as a result of the anti-Christian policy. The reading of western books was also prohibited. But in 1720, the Tokugawa Shogunate (Yoshimune Tokugawa) began to encourage the reading of the western books for practical use of medical science, astronomy, natural
history, military affairs and chemistry except Christian doctrine. During this time, European forces had been gradually approaching Japan directly for the opening of the closed gate. As a consequence, the growth of western learning encouraged by the Shogunate, a glimpse of geo-scientific idea was introduced through chemistry and geography.
In 1855, the Togugawa Shogunate was forced to open the country by the visit of the American Mission headed by Admiral Perry. From this time, the western geo-scientific thought started to spread which lead to the development of mineral resources for economic trade and national defense.

jpn

廣島大學理學部地學教室

[ISSN] 0073-2303

[NCID] AN00213676