noun
Edo-period office of astronomy; bakufu astronomical bureau
Historical term for the shogunate office responsible for calendar-making, astronomical observations, surveying, and translation of Western scientific works.
江戸時代、天文方は暦の作成や天体観測を行っていた。
In the Edo period, the Tenmonkata was responsible for calendar-making and astronomical observations.
The Tenmonkata also engaged in translating Western astronomy books.
方 here is an old suffix meaning 'person in charge' or 'office'; compare with modern usages like やり方 (way of doing) or 読み方 (way of reading).
Compound of 天文 (astronomy) and 方 (person in charge, office). The term originated in the Edo period as the name of the shogunate's astronomical bureau.