Philipp Franz von Siebold (1796-1866) |
Since Japan was isolated within the period from 1630 to 1853, so nobody could enter or leave Japan, Siebold was an obvious exception.
But Siebold wasn't just someone else: He is considered as a pioneer of the Japanese studies being known nowadays. But to what extent does it apply to him? And were there other persons as well who paved the way for the same?
About this historic figure, entire lectures might be held but don't worry, I'm gonna sum it up for you in a way that you're able to take it home.
With that said, in the following, I'm gonna introduce the pre-opening Japan's witness Siebold; explain his status for the Japanese studies and moreover, I elaborate the initial question why he can indeed be considered as one of the Japanese studies' pioneers.
Here we go:
A picture of Nagasaki from the year 1828. The fan-shaped island Dejima is located in the foreground (Figure No.1 in Siebold: Nippon, ²1897) |
Philipp Franz von Siebold entered Japan in the year 1823 where he worked as factory doctor on the man-made island Dejima (出島) being located in Nagasaki (長崎) for six years. He drew up nature studies related as well as culture studies related research studies and collected, for instance, plants, stuffed animals, everyday objects and artifacts. Because he wasn't only a doctor and naturalist but also a ethnologist, botanist and, additionally, a collector.
Enclosed a little excursus: During the Edo period (1603-1868) Dejima was the only place for direct trading and exchange between Japan and Europe (or rather, the Netherlands 'cuz the Dutch East India Company had its office on Dejima). At said place, the research of the West was conducted whereby great interest was especially conceived to medicine, military technology and agriculture. Due to the fact that the research of the west was conducted by the Dutch language's medium, it was also called rangaku (蘭学, literal meaning: Dutch learning but in the analogous sense: Western learning).
Anyways, due to the Japanese people's high interest on Siebold's work, the latter was allowed to open an own school for medicine and nature studies. Furthermore, while traveling to Edo (the today's Tokyo), he could participate to an audience of the shōgun.
At that time, it was Ienari Tokugawa (徳川家斉 , 1773-1841) who reigned Japan as the 12th shōgun from 1787 to 1837. |
Siebold had a Japanese live-in girlfried whose name was Taki Sonogi (其扇瀧, 1807-1865), laterly renamed to Taki Kusumoto (楠本瀧). He had a common daughter with her who was called Ine Kusumoto (楠本イネ, 1827-1903) and became the first female Western-style doctor of Japan afterwards. Both remained in Japan during Siebolds departure.
After the opening of Japan 1854, Philipp von Siebold was able to enter Japan once again. He entered Japan 1859 and remained there until 1862. He was allowed to be accompanied by his Sohn Alexander who remained longer in Japan and additionally purchased much more Japanese cultural artifacts for many museums. A part of this collection can be lionized in the Museum Fünf Kontinente (literal meaning: Five Continents Museum in Munich.
Philipp von Siebold's second son Heinrich "Henry" von Siebold (1852-1908, aka Freiherr von Siebold) entered Japan 1869 as well; continued parts of his father's researches too and moreover, he is considered, along with the US-American archaeologist Edward S. Morse, as one of the Japanese archeology's pioneers.
Conclusion: All in all, Philipp Franz von Siebold who was in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868) can be indeed considered as one of the pioneers of nowadays' Japanese studies - not least 'cuz he was a witness of the isolated Japan back then. His collection as well as his book Nippon, Archiv zur Beschreibung Japans (literal meaning: Nippon, archive for Japan's description) having been released 1832 (and since then, edited several times) have a high status within the Japan related research. Also with the latter, he paved definitely the way for the Japanese studies. There's also the fast that his both sons Alexander and Heinrich had continued parts of their dad's research works and thus are counted as pioneers of the Japanese studies as well.
And now, I ask you: Which topics I shall elaborate within the frames of the rubric "Culture Studies"? Which topic suggestions do you have? And do you wish more cultural, historic or society-related topics? Don't hesitate writing it in the comments (No account for commenting under my articles is required).
PS: Here you can go to my other articles from the rubric "Landeskunde":