Acomprehensive study of Japanese treatises by the scholars and craftsmen who contributed to the science and technology in the late Edo period.

This study consists of four parts. 1. A study of Chinese books by Western missionaries in the middle of 19th century. They were brought to and had strong influence on 1860s and 1870s Japan. Five treatises by Benjamin Hobson(1816-1873) were read in particular. We investigated his life and works with' Hobson papers' in the Wellcome Library, London. 2. A study of writings by Kawamoto Komin(1810-1871), who was a professor at the Institute of Western Studies in Edo city. His translation of A.Ypey's Handleiding tot de physiologie was examined at the Library of Nihon University School of Medicine. 3 A study of works by Ueno Shunnojo(1790-1851). He was a maker of precision instruments at Nagasaki and played actively in a wide field such as saltpeter production, metal engraving, forging, calico, medicine manufacture, painting and import business. His most well known writing " Houka Hikan" (Secret treatise for artillerymen) was studied with using some texts and is found to have included chapters of surveying. 4. A study of the characteristics and influence of the introduction of domestic Chinese architectural textbook in Japan during Edo period.