Characteristics of Farmers in the Upland Farming Regions (Sericulture Regions) in Eastern Japan As Seen in the Regions where Wasan Mathematicians Were Active in the Late Edo Period

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The characteristics of upland farmers and sericulture farmers in Eastern Japan in the late Edo period and the culture of Wasan (the native mathematics of Japan) After the middle Edo period (18^<th> century) many Wasan mathematicians took up mathematics as a hobby or pastime. So what was their life like? It is well known that many Wasan mathematicians actively worked in the rural areas of Eastern Japan (Tohoku, Kanto and Chubu regions) in the late Edo period. What were the conditions in the rural area of Eastern Japan that produced their mathematicians and allowed them to work actively and gain acceptance as mathematicians? To answer these questions, the authors investigated the regions in Eastern Japan where the main mathematicians came from and earned their livelihood. The research yielded three hypotheses. Hypothesis 1. The substantial difference between areas of rice producing regions and areas in which upland farming and sericulture are practiced. In the so-called rice growing region, traditional methods are used to secure rice yields and to support and maintain the wealth of the people living there. In contrast, upland farming and sericulture are practiced in the mountainous regions and on the alluvial fans at the base of mountains. These harsher conditions force farmers to depend not on tradition but on foresight and an ability to adapt to the need of the times to achieve success and eliminate poverty. In other words, although both groups are the same in that they are both farmers, the different conditions may affect creativity and intellectual appetites. Hypothesis 2. The relative nature of the "wealthy life" in the rice growing region vs upland region. The authors define the "wealthy life" as a state which includes, besides material wealth, conditions as well as acquiring new knowledge. When the wealthy life is seen in this way, rice farmers of the late Edo period did not have wealthy life because the conservative nature of their life and work provided few opportunities for innovation, and thus no need for intellectual enrichment. However, the upland farmers depended on foresight and innovation just to maintain their standard of living, and as a consequence achieved the wealthy life. This is the authors' view on this issue. Hypothesis 3. The influence of Western sciences on Wasan mathematicians of the late Edo period The Wasan mathematicians of the late Edo period who worked actively travelling to various parts of Japan (i.e. Wasan mathematicians on the road) were influenced by Western sciences during the last days of Tokugawa Shogunate, and thus began to deal with modern sciences. Consequently, most Wasan mathematicians who were also called Rangakusha or Yogakusha (i.e. scientists who studied Western sciences in the Dutch language, or Western Studies scholars) became known. The authors believe that the upland farmers and sericulture farmers who needed new knowledge (science, technology, and economics) to achieve a wealthy life needed and employed Wasan mathematicians who were the pioneers in the period. Thus, the authors conclude that the farming conditions in the upland regions dictated the farmers' need of foresight and creativity and thereby formed the base of the subsequent culture formation and educational development in Eastern Japan.
日本科学史学会の論文
2002-11-30

Characteristics of Farmers in the Upland Farming Regions (Sericulture Regions) in Eastern Japan As Seen in the Regions where Wasan Mathematicians Were Active in the Late Edo Period

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