XXVI. THE ABRIDGED ANATOMICAL CHARTS. INTERPRETERS AT NAGASAKI.

Such was the way A New Book of Anatomy came into being, but in those days there was hardly any person who had learned or heard anything of the Dutch medical learning, and we feared that suppose we brought out the book, the scholars who were steeped in Chinese teachings would call it heretic and would not care to read it.  And so, we printed what we called Abridged Anatomical Charts (Kaitaiyakuza) and published it.  It was a sort of handbill which people often resort to.

Two or three years after we had engaged ourselves in the work, the news about it was transmitted to Nagasaki by the Dutch party who returned from Edo after the yearly courtesy visit to the Shōgun, and we heard that the interpreters there felt jealous of us that Dutch learning was being eagerly pursued in Edo.

We thought that this was rather natural for them.  Until about that time, all that the interpreters in Nagasaki could do was to learn by the ear.  They never tried to study or understand written Dutch.  The situation was very much like that there was no adjusting the mispronounced word, for instance, "samumeshi" intended to convey the idea of "cold rice" to its right pronunciation "hiyameshi (cold rice)" when no written characters are given for it.  Similarly, they translated the Dutch word "een deel" into "hitotsu-no-wakare, futatsu-no-wakare" (1st separation, 2nd separation) which should have been translated as "a part" or "a chapter."  Everything was carried on in this sort of guess work fashion and they got away with it.  Things were worse when it came to such a complicated matter as medicine and the structure of the human body.

Looking over the Abridged Anatomical Charts, and finding the word "gijl" (thoracic duct) in it, an interpreter commented: "This must be an error for 'gal' (gall-bladder), for there is no such thing as 'gijl' in the human body."

We can easily conjecture, however, that about this time the interpreters in Nagasaki were stirred to activity by the venture launched in the eastern part of Japan.

XXVII. PUBLICATION OF A NEW BOOK OF ANATOMY.

Following the Abridged Anatomical Charts, we put out A New Book of Anatomy itself.  As was mentioned before, living in an age when even the Story of the Things Dutch (Oranda-banashi) was suppressed, we were not certain if Holland was an exception to the strict ban by the Tokugawas on any attempt to introduce things from the West.  Publishing the book on our own assumption, we might be punished for the violation of a public interdiction.  We were really worried on this point.

I thought, however, that the book was not printed in Dutch, and anyone who reads t would see plainly it was aiming at enlightening the people on medical science.  I resolved that there was no offense in the book and that I would take the stand as a forerunner in the translation of Western books and their publishers.

Still, as this was the very first event of the sort, I decided to present a set of the volumes to the Shōgun for his august inspection, though I should be overawed to do so.  Very fortunately, Hosan Katsuragawa, father of one of my colleagues, Honshū, was an old friend of mine, and a Hōgen, a high ranking doctor.  I talked with him about this matter.  Through his intercedence, I was able to present a five volume set of our work to the Shogunate unofficially.  Things worked smoothly to our great relief.

A cousin of mine Shiseki Yoshimura was living in Kyōto then.  Through his recommendation, I was able to offer a set of our work to each of the three great families of the Imperial Court: Kujō Family, Konoe Family and Hirohashi Family.  The heads of these families presented me in return with several old Japanese poems personally calligraphed by them.  The Higashi-bojō Family, another eminent family in the Imperial Court, bestowed us a Chinese poem which the head of the family composed himself in appreciation of the courtesy we rendered.  Also, we presented a copy to each member of the Shōgun's Council of Elders.  In every quarter which we contacted, there was no trouble.  We felt relieved at last.  Such was the way the first Dutch translation was introduced to our society.

XXVIII. DUTCH LEARNING PROSPERS. GENTAKU ŌTSUKI.

In the beginning, I did not think the Dutch learning would flourish and advance as we see today.  This was due to my poor intellect and lack of foresight.  Looking back now, I see that the Chinese learning took long to develop in this country, because perhaps it was primarily a rhetorical language while Dutch developed fast, because it expressed facts as they were and it was easier to learn.  Or, perhaps, it was that Chinese had trained the Japanese mind and had made a foundation whereupon Dutch was able to make a rapid stride.  I cannot tell.

Or, it may be that the time was just ripe for this type of learning.  Takebe whom I came to know by correspondence as I mentioned before, wrote in his letter that he was beside himself with joy to receive my answer proving our intellectual coincidence.  This gentleman was twenty years my senior.  Claiming that he was too old to study himself, he sent his son Ryōsaku and one of his pupils, Gentaku Ōtsuki to Edo to be tutored by me.

Dr. Ogata's note: 1757-1827

I watched this man, Gentaku, and found him very positive in learning.  He would not say or write anything unless he was convinced of it himself.  He was not necessarily of vigorous mind, but he disliked frivolousness.  He was exactly the man for the study of Dutch science.  I loved his talent and personality and made conscious effort to teach him.  Afterwards, I entrusted him to Ryōtaku's guidance.  As was expected, he proved a diligent scholar, and Ryōtaku instructed him in the fundamentals of Dutch language.  Thus in short while Gentaku became thoroughly versed in the essentials of Dutch learning.

During this time, he made acquaintances of such Dutch scholars as Jun-un Nakagawa, Honshū and Feudal Lord Fukuchiyama, resulting in a rapid advance in his studies.  Ever enthusiastic in his pursuit, he expressed his desire to receive lessons directly from interpreters in Nagasaki, Ryōtaku and I happily supported him in this idea.  "Go, young man - and study!" we said.  "You will achieve greatness in your cherished desire."

Gentaku decided to go to Nagasaki, but the trouble was the question of expense.  Impressed by his fervor, I wanted to do something for him.  But I myself was pressed financially then.  Still, I did everything possible within my capacity.  Our companion, Feudal Lord Fukuchiyama, himself a student of Dutch, kindly rendered him generous help.  Thus he had the good fortune of going to Nagasaki.  Having carefully disciplined himself for some time under the guidance of Einoshin Motoki, an interpreter, and having sought every possible acquaintance with many experts in the line, he came back to Edo and became a permanent resident there.

Dr. Ogata's note: 1735-1794, he was well posted in astronomy, humanities and natural history

After he returned to Edo, he put out the book A Guide to Dutch Learning (Rangaku Kaitei) which he had compiled but had laid aside unpublished.  Many of the scholars who read the book were deeply moved and were stirred to fresh exertions.  I am thankful to the providence which obliged us with the appearance of such a man and such a book in support of my cherished dream.

XXIX. SHŌJŪRŌ ARAI.

Besides those mentioned so far, there were many others who studied Dutch learning under my tutelage.  But not all of them attained their goals - some were unable to stay in Edo for long; some left for official posts; some were impoverished and had to return home; some became ill; and some others died young.  But it is a fact that not a small number of branches and factions in the Dutch learning grew out of my initial effort.

About 1778 or 1779 (the 7th or the 8th year of An-ei Era), a man named Shōjūrō Arai of Nagasaki came to Gennai Hiraga.  He was formerly an adopted son of Zenzaburō Nishi, then calling himself Masakurō.  He was once a professional interpreter.  As this visit happened just at the time when we started in Dutch learning, we often invited him to my house, and we, including Jun-an and some others and myself, studied Dutch conversation (Zaamenspraak) from him.  After Gennai died, Arai lived with the Katsuragawa family and helped them in their work.  He also had entrée to Feudal Lord Fukuchiyama, assisting him in his study of Dutch learning and editing, including the Atlas of the West (Taisei Zusetsu).  Later Shōjūrō entered another family and took the name Heiemon Mori.  His going to Edo, I believe, was not without influence on the promotion of learning among our colleagues.  He passed away some time ago.

XXX. GENZUI UDAGAWA.

Dr. Ogata's note: Gentaku's fine brain succeeded in the systematization of Dutch learning into a solid form of study.  He went to Nagasaki in 1785 (the 5th year of Tenmei Era) and stayed there for 5 months.  He was born in 1757 and died on the 30th of March, 1827 at the age of 71.  A Guide to Dutch Learning was published in 1788

Here is another gentleman, Genzui Udagawa, an official doctor of Feudal Lord Tsuyama.  He was learned in Chinese classics, had an extensive knowledge and strong memory.  Being determined to study Dutch learning, he read some Dutch books under Gentaku's guidance.  Through Gentaku, he came in contact with Jun-an and myself; also with Katsuragawa and Ryōtaki.  He also came to know Tsune-emon Ishii who was originally an interpreter in Nagasaki and later became a retainer of Feudal Lord Shirakawa, and learned a considerable number of Dutch words from him.

Genzui was a genius with astonishing perseverance.  He made rapid strides in his studies and translated a book called Synopsis of Internal Medicine (Naika Sen-yō) in 18 volumes.  It was a simple and introductory work, but was the very first Japanese translation of a book on internal medicine.  It is a pity that he died rather young at the age of 43.  The publication of Synopsis of Internal Medicine was completed only after his death.

Dr. Ogata's note: 1755-1797

FOOTNOTES.

Dr. Ogata's note: This is a translation of Johannes deGorter: Gezuiverde Geneeskonsti, 1744.  It was first published in 1793.  Up to that time, Dutch art of healing had been represented by surgery only.  This book proved that there was also internal medicine