Astronomy and Intellectual Networks in the late 18^th Century in Japan:A Case Study of Fushimi in Yamashiro

抄録

This paper examines the transition of cosmology in Fushimi in the 18^th century. In this period, Japan experienced a transition in scientific knowledge from pre-modern astrology to scientific astronomy under the influence of newly imported Western sciences mainly from the Netherlands. Local intellectuals were also the case for this transition. In order to examine this period, we study two observational cases in Fushimi: aurora observation in 1770 and night sky watching with a telescope in 1793. While the record of the former reflects traditional oriental astrological aspects, the latter heavily involves aspects of modern Western science. We examine these records and the cultural context to understand why Fushimi hosted these events, who the networks of local intellectuals were that supported these efforts, and how Japanese intellectuals accepted Western sciences to shift their cosmology away from traditional oriental astrology. These are important case studies as they reveal how Eastern and Western cosmologies overlapped and made a transition while Japan was at a crossroads, not only in terms of trades or travels but also intellectuals and their cosmology.