noun
Western books (Edo period); Dutch books
Historical term for Western books, especially Dutch ones, during Japan's Edo period. Now archaic; used only in historical contexts.
江戸時代、蕃書を通じて西洋の医学が日本に伝わった。
During the Edo period, Western medicine was introduced to Japan through Dutch books.
Modern term for Western books in general, without the historical Edo-period connotation.
From 蕃 (ban, 'foreign, Western') + 書 (sho, 'book'). The kanji 蕃 was used in the Edo period to refer to Western things, especially Dutch.