rangaku; Dutch learning
Historical term for the study of Western science, medicine, and technology through Dutch books and contacts during Japan's Edo-period isolation.
Sugita Genpaku greatly contributed to the development of rangaku.
During the Edo period, Western medicine was introduced to Japan through rangaku.
rangaku scholar; scholar of Western sciences via Dutch during the Edo period
Formed from 蘭, an abbreviation of names such as 和蘭 for Holland, and 学, “learning.” It denotes the study of Dutch language and Western knowledge transmitted through Dutch sources in early modern Japan.