The Research On The Transmisson Of Western Science And Technology In Tokugawa Era In Japan

The transmission of science and technology (S&T) refers to the process and behavior of communication and sharing, which is the basic link or conditions to realize "Science and technology constitute a primary productive forces" and "The strategy of invigorating the country through science and education"Western S&T was brought into Japan by Christian missioners in the middle of the sixteenth century, and the transmission lasted for more than two hundred years before the Meiji Ishin. Related concepts and theories of the transmission are utilized to study the transmission of western S&T in Tokugawa Era in Japan from the perspective of science, technology and society (STS). On the basis of the study, the features are generalized and the decisive influence of the transmission is stated in terms of the development of modern S&T and social transformations in Japan.Firstly, a clear definition of transmission of S&T starts with the transmission and its connotations. Transmission of S&T is a process for scientific messages transmitted in a particular cultural time and space, which is restricted by the above factors. Functions and features of the transmission are summarized, which makes a sound theoretical background for the latter research on the transmission of western S&T in Tokugawa Era.Secondly, transplantation and utility—the cultural characteristics unique to the development of Japanese traditional S&T are drawn basing on the analysis of the development and evolution of Japanese S&T in the pro-Tokugawa times. The interconnection of this cultural uniqueness and profound spread of western S&T in Tokugawa Era is pointed out. Since social conditions play an important role in the width and depth of the transmission, a brief analysis of the history of the transmission of western S&T and the western S&T is stated from Nanbangaku Langaku, and to Yogaku period.Thirdly, centering on subject, content, means and effect, the features of western S&T in western S&T are the focus. By studying the subject, multiplicity is drawn involving western missioners, overseas merchants, doctors, different samurai, governmental and non-governmental organizations. As to the content, richness and expansiveness can be seen from natural sciences and technology with ever-increasing disciplines in the medieval and modern Europe. Regarding its means, it has the feature of diversity which is self-evident from religious activities, trading activities, translated books and education-starting. And its effects betray features of systematic generation and progression as the former generation always acts as the basis for the latter and the far-reaching change of S&T interacts with social transformations.Lastly, inspirations for the development of S&T and social transformation of China in the future can be obtained by analyzing the influence of western S&T on Japan in the Meiji Ishin period.