Western magazines

It was Japan's first monthly magazine, founded in October 1867 (Keio 3) by Western scholar Yanagawa Shunsan. The intention behind its founding was to "collect strange theories from around the world to refresh people's eyes and ears," following the example of magaseins (magazines) published monthly in Western Europe. The contents mainly consisted of translations of new knowledge on chemistry, plants, minerals, and other topics, as well as history and biographies of Western countries. In addition to Yanagawa, other contributors included Kanda Takahira, Tanaka Yoshio, Utsunomiya Konoshin, and Kitsuka Senshi. The magazine was discontinued after the first five volumes were published, and volume six was published in September 1869 (Meiji 2), but it naturally ceased publication due to Yanagawa's death from illness. Woodblock prints and small Japanese paper books. Published by Edo Kaibutsu-sha.

[Yahagi Katsumi]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

洋学者柳河春三(やながわしゅんさん)が1867年（慶応3）10月に創刊したわが国最初の月刊雑誌。創刊の意図は、西欧において月々出版されているマガセイン（マガジン＝雑誌）に倣い「広く天下の奇説を集めて、耳目を新(あらた)にせん」がためであった。内容は、西欧諸国の歴史や人物伝のほか、化学、植物、鉱物などに関する新しい知識の翻訳紹介が中心になっている。執筆者は柳河のほか、神田孝平(たかひら)、田中芳男(よしお)、宇都宮鉱之進、喫霞(きつか)仙史である。巻五まで発行して中絶、69年（明治2）9月、巻六を発行したが、柳河の病死により自然廃刊。木版、和紙小形本。発行所は江戸開物社。

［矢作勝美］

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