Genshu Katakura - Genshu Katakura

An obstetrician in the late Edo period. Born in Tsukui, Sagami Province (Kanagawa Prefecture). His pen name was Fukaho and his family name was Kakuryo. His family had been doctors for generations. At the age of 12, he went to Edo to study medicine under Taki Rankei (1732-1801) and also studied poetry and prose under Inoue Kinga. At the age of 25, he opened a clinic in Ushigome Shirogane-cho, which was very successful. He later traveled to Kyoto to study, mastered the Kagawa School of Obstetrics, and returned to Edo to open an obstetrics clinic. By chance, he became acquainted with Mine Shuntai (1746-1793), a Dutch scholar who lived next door, and came into contact with Western obstetrics theories. In 1793 (Kansei 5), he wrote the 6-volume "Obstetrics Hatsumou" (Dietary Guide), in which he reproduced and introduced illustrations from obstetrics books by Hendrik van Deventer (1651-1724) of the Netherlands and William Smellie (1697-1763) of England. He also had a deep knowledge of childhood diseases and devoted himself to the study of syphilis and leprosy, writing "Information on Infant Care" on the former and "New Book on Mold and Leprosy" on the latter.

[Otori Ranzaburo]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

江戸後期の産科医。相模(さがみ)国（神奈川県）築井(つくい)の人。字(あざな)は深甫、鶴陵(かくりょう)と号す。家は代々医を業とした。12歳のとき江戸に出て多紀藍渓(たきらんけい)（1732―1801）について医学を修め、また井上金峨(きんが)に従って詩文を学んだ。25歳のとき牛込白銀(しろがね)町で開業、大いに繁盛した。のち京都に遊学し、賀川流産科を究めて江戸に帰り、産科を開業した。たまたま隣家の蘭学者(らんがくしゃ)嶺春泰(みねしゅんたい)（1746―1793）と知り合い、西洋産科説に接するようになった。1793年（寛政5）『産科発蒙(はつもう)』6巻を著し、そのなかでオランダのデフェンテルHendrik van Deventer（1651―1724）、イギリスのスメリーWilliam Smellie（1697―1763）らの産科書にある挿図を転載、紹介した。そのほか小児病についても造詣(ぞうけい)深く、また梅毒・癩(らい)（ハンセン病）に関しても心血を注ぎ、前者に関する『保嬰須知(ほえいすち)』、後者に関する『黴癘(ばいれい)新書』を著した。

［大鳥蘭三郎］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例