The ladder of Western learning

An introductory book to Dutch studies. Written by Otsuki Gentaku. Completed in 1783 (Tenmei 3) when Gentaku was 27 years old, it was published in 1788. It consists of two volumes. Following a statement that defines Dutch studies, the first volume has nine chapters and is a general overview that summarizes the history of Japan-Netherlands relations and the significance and development of Dutch studies research. The second volume has 16 chapters and is an introduction to Dutch that concretely and simply explains everything from the ABC letters to numbers, pronunciation, translation, and grammar. It gives examples of words and translations, explains several parts of speech and writing symbols such as articles, lists imported literature for reference, and concludes with a precept for the language. It was the first introductory book to Dutch studies published, and it was popular among those who were interested in Dutch studies throughout the Edo period, and its influence was enormous.

[Kazuo Katagiri]

"Kokusho Kankokai (ed.) 'Bunmei Genryu Sosho 1' (1913)" ▽ "Matsumura Akira (ed.) 'Nihon Shiso Taikei 64: Western Studies Vol. 1' (1976, Iwanami Shoten)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

蘭学の入門書。大槻玄沢(おおつきげんたく)の著。1783年（天明3）玄沢27歳のとき成稿、1788年刊行。上下二巻。蘭学を規定した例言に続いて、上巻は9章からなり、日本・オランダ関係の歴史、蘭学研究の意義と発達の歴史をまとめた総論とし、下巻は16章からなり、ABCの文字から数字、発音、訳法、文法を具体的にかつ簡単に説いたオランダ語への入門書となし、単語、訳例をあげ、冠詞など数種の品詞や文章記号を解説し、参考となる輸入文献を掲げ、学訓を示して結んでいる。出版された蘭学入門書の最初で、江戸時代を通じ蘭学に手を染める者の間に普及し、その影響はすこぶる大きかった。

［片桐一男］

『国書刊行会編・刊『文明源流叢書1』（1913）』▽『松村明校注『日本思想大系64　洋学　上』（1976・岩波書店）』

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