A Study of Banshoko

A pamphlet encouraging the cultivation of sweet potatoes (bansho) in preparation for food shortages during famines during the Edo period. Written by Aoki Konyo (Atsumi). One volume, supplemented by another. Completed in 1735 (Kyoho 20), the main text was expanded in 1769 (Meiwa 6). This book excerpts from sources such as Xu Guangqi's "Comprehensive Book of Agricultural Administration" about the shape and taste of sweet potatoes, as well as cultivation and preservation methods, and also describes the actual cultivation conditions in Satsuma Province (Kagoshima Prefecture). It is said that the book was later revised and expanded with reference to Matsuoka Joan's "Banshoroku." Konyo's proposal was adopted by the shogunate through the magistrate Ooka Tadasuke, and Konyo himself took charge, succeeding in growing sweet potatoes on a trial basis, paving the way for their spread throughout the country. This book is included in the fourth volume of "Thirty Spokes." There are other books of the same name, written by Ikeda Takenori and edited by Itokawa.

[Akira Baba]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

江戸時代、飢饉(ききん)時の食糧不足に備えるためサツマイモ（蕃藷）の栽培を奨励した小冊子。著者は青木昆陽(こんよう)（敦書(あつぶみ)）。一巻、補一巻、全一冊。本編1735年（享保20）、増補1769年（明和6）成立。本書では、サツマイモの形や味をはじめ栽培法・蔵種法について中国の本草(ほんぞう)書である『農政全書』（徐光啓著）などから抄出し、あわせて薩摩(さつま)国（鹿児島県）における栽培の実態なども述べている。またのちに、松岡恕庵(じょあん)著『蕃藷録』を参考にして訂正増補したらしい。昆陽の建策は町奉行(ぶぎょう)大岡忠相(ただすけ)を通じて幕府の採用するところとなり、昆陽自ら責任者となってサツマイモの試作に成功し、全国へ普及する端緒を開いた。本書は『三十輻(さんじっぷく)』第四巻に収める。なお、同名書に池田武紀(たけのり)著と糸川某編とがある。

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