Mitsukuri Rinsho

A Western scholar and legal scholar in the late Edo and early Meiji periods. Born in Edo on July 29, 1846. His father, Shogo (1821-1846), was a samurai of the Tsuyama domain and a disciple of the Dutch physician Mitsukuri Genpo, and was a geographer who married Mitsukuri Genpo's third daughter and became his heir. Rinsho studied Chinese classics, Dutch studies, and English from a young age, and served at the Bansho Shirabesho (Institute for the Investigation of Foreign Documents), where he helped teach Western studies and acted as an interpreter. In 1867 (Keio 3), he studied in France, and returned to Japan the following year to serve the new Meiji government, translating and introducing French legal codes under the Minister of Justice Eto Shinpei. After Boissonade came to Japan in 1873 (Meiji 6), he worked with him to compile the old Civil Code and other legal codes, and also came up with translations for terms such as "movable property" and "real estate." He contributed articles such as "The Theory of Liborci" to the "Meiroku Zasshi" (Meiji Roku Zasshi) to raise public awareness. He served as the Chief Justice of the Ministry of Justice, Chief Secretary of the Dajokan (Grand Council of State), Councillor of the Elders, Vice Minister of Justice, and Chief Justice of the Administrative Court, and in 1890 was appointed by imperial decree to the House of Peers. Oi Kentaro, Nakae Chomin, and others learned French from him. His translations include "France Law Book" (1870-1874) and "Taisei Kanzen Inmon" (1871). He died on November 29, Meiji 30.

[Ryuichi Nagao]

"The Story of Mitsukuri Rinsho-kun by Fumihiko Otsuki (1907, Maruzen)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

幕末・明治初期の洋学者、法学者。弘化(こうか)3年7月29日江戸に生まれる。父省吾（1821―1846）は津山藩士、蘭医(らんい)箕作阮甫(げんぽ)の弟子で、その三女をめとって嗣子(しし)となった地理学者。麟祥は若くより漢学、蘭学、英学を学び、蕃書調所(ばんしょしらべしょ)に出仕し、洋学教授手伝や通訳などを務めた。1867年（慶応3）フランスに留学、翌年帰国後は明治新政府に仕え、司法卿(しほうきょう)江藤新平(えとうしんぺい)のもとで、フランス諸法典の翻訳、紹介にあたった。1873年（明治6）ボアソナード来日後は、彼と協力して旧民法などの法典編纂(へんさん)に従事、「動産」「不動産」などの訳語も考案した。『明六雑誌(めいろくざっし)』に「リボルチーの説」などを寄稿して、啓蒙(けいもう)活動を行った。司法大丞(だいじょう)、太政官(だじょうかん)大書記官、元老院議官、司法次官、行政裁判所長官などを歴任、また1890年からは貴族院議員に勅選された。大井憲太郎、中江兆民などは彼にフランス語を学んだ。訳書に『佛蘭西法律書(フランスほうりつしょ)』（1870～1874）、『泰西勧善訓蒙』（1871）などがある。明治30年11月29日死去。

［長尾龍一］

『大槻文彦著『箕作麟祥君伝』（1907・丸善）』

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