Kenji Kimura

Japanese: 木村謙次 - きむら・けんじ

Year of death: 7/6/18 (8/24/1811)
Year of birth: 1752
A northern explorer in the late Edo period. His given name was Ken, his pen name was Kokyo, and his pen names included Suikodo and Suikoyamadate. He was born in Tenka-no-mura, Kuji-gun, Hitachi Province (Mifu Village, Ibaraki Prefecture). His talent was recognized at a young age, and he studied under Tachihara Suiken in Mito. At the age of 34, he traveled to Matsushima and Sendai, and then explored the Tohoku region and Ezochi many times. His diary "Hokkou Nikroku", written in 1793 (Kansei 5) from Mito to Matsumae, is an excellent historical document that gives insight into the situation in the Tohoku region and Ezochi at that time. In 1797, he joined Kondo Juzo's exploration of Ezochi. He wrote the inscription for the "Dai Nippon Etorofu" that was built on Etorofu Island. Kimura also learned medicine, and is said to have treated and helped Kondo and his companions during their northern explorations. He left behind many historical documents related to the north. <References> "Kimura Kenji Collection" edited by Yamazaki Eisaku

(Shinichi Fumoto)

Source: Asahi Japanese Historical Biography: Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc. About Asahi Japanese Historical Biography

Japanese:

没年：文化8.7.6(1811.8.24)
生年：宝暦2(1752)
江戸後期の北方探検家。名は謙,字は子虚,号は酔古堂,酔古山館など。常陸国久慈郡天下野村(茨城県水府村)生まれ。若くして才能を認められ水戸の立原翠軒に学ぶ。34歳のときに松島,仙台に旅したのち,東北と蝦夷地を幾度となく調査する。寛政5(1793)年の水戸から松前までの日記『北行日録』は当時の東北地方,蝦夷地の状況を知る好史料。寛政10年に近藤重蔵の蝦夷地調査に加わる。択捉島に建てた「大日本恵土呂府」の題字を記した。また木村は医学も習得しており,北方探検中に近藤らを治療して助けたという。多くの北方関係史料を残している。<参考文献>山崎栄作編『木村謙次集』

(麓慎一)

出典　朝日日本歴史人物事典：（株）朝日新聞出版朝日日本歴史人物事典について　情報

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