Historical Study of Geology and its Related Sciences from Ancient to Modern Age in Japan

Abstract

Japanese historical and geographical literatures, the Kojiki, the Nihongi, the Fudoki etc., were edited in the 8th century. Studies of minerals, rocks and fossils at that time were done on the basis of the Honzo (Pen-Tsao), Chinese ancient pharmacy. Since the 17th century studies of the Honzo were settled in Japan and progressed independently. With the development of the Japanese industry in the end of the 18th century, the Meibutsu-gaku, or the Bussan-gaku, learning on natural material or product, originated from the Honzo. On the other hand, since the end of the 17th century, Western natural sciences were transmitted to Japan through Dutch Commercial Office in Nagasaki. The eastern sciences such as the Honzo and the Bussan-gaku resulted in the establishment of the modern geology in Japan together with the western sciences.