 |
Mention math nowadays, and it’s  (pi) and the equations of Western mathematics that come to mind just about anywhere in the world. But long before the penetration of Western influences, other parts of the world—such as China and the Indian sub-continent—already had their own distinctive mathematics. Japan, too, was no exception, boasting a well-developed body of mathematics known as wasan.
Mathematics was first introduced to Japan as an academic discipline in the sixth century and is said to have been brought from Paekche (Jpn: Kudara) in Korea.
During the Nara Period (710–784), when a university system to train officials involved in tax collection, construction, and the creation of calendars and almanacs was introduced from China, mathematics was one of the subjects included in the curriculum. At the time, it was mostly very practical calculations such as simple and quadratic equations, formulas for calculating area and volume, and measurement methods that were taught.
Such devices as sangi (“counting rods”: pieces of wood about 10 cm in length that were arranged in rows for calculation purposes) and ku-ku (literally “9 x 9,” the Eastern equivalent of the multiplication tables) were also introduced, but for a long time afterwards little progress was made in mathematical theory, undoubtedly due in large part to the fact that neither commerce nor urbanization were at a sufficient level to fuel its development.
|
 |
| The Jinkoki, a book that provided an impetus for the popularization of wasan. First published in 1627, it was revised and even reworked for re-issue in several editions. Shown here is a depiction of the 1641 edition reproduced in Gendai Katsujiban Jinkoki (The Jinkoki in contemporary type,Wasan Kenkyujo [research institute], ed., 2000). |
|
