Period 1, astronomy in the Tokugawa era, is presented in Chap. 1. The subject of
astronomy in this era was confined to calendar-making in the frame of luni-solar
calendar. In parallel, western cosmologies from Aristotle to Newton were mainly
accepted by civilians, particularly by Dutch interpreters.
Period 2, astronomy in the Meiji-Taisho era, is described in Chap. 2. The
Tokugawa government was abolished in 1868 by Meiji emperor’s army and a new
Meiji government was established. This is called the Meiji Revolution. The new
government adopted the policy of modernization, accepting western systems in
politics, military, and other affairs. Initially astronomy was introduced in the field
of position astronomy to adopt the Gregorian calendar and to build a new astronomical observatory. The observatory mainly had geopolitical purposes such as time
keeping, calendar making, and observations of latitude and longitude.
Astrophysics was introduced through foreign studies in Western Europe and the
USA in the late Meiji era around 1905. In the Taisho era (1912–1926), astrophysics
was still promoted similarly through foreign studies.
Period 3, astronomy in the early Showa era (1927~1945), is given in Chaps. 3, 4,
and 5, covering the development of astronomy in three distinct areas: Tokyo, Kyoto,
and Sendai, where astronomy was promoted separately and almost independently. In
this era, Japan was under a military government and finally rushed into World War
II. International collaboration in science was getting difficult, and astronomers were
forced to work for military purpose. Nevertheless, some notable works were produced in some theoretical fields. For example, physics of the solar corona and
chromosphere, and basic physical processes of planetary nebulae were carried out
mostly independent of western astrophysics. This period may be cited as the age of
self-efforts.
Period 4 presents the development of astronomy in the postwar era (1946 ~
2000), described in Chaps. 6, 7, and 8. In 1945, World War II ended with the defeat
of Japan. Social and economic confusion lasted for several years. Thereafter, the
Japanese economy expanded at a stunning pace. This enabled the construction of
large scientific facilities including telescopes and orbiting satellites. In parallel with
the economic growth, the education system was greatly changed in the form that
compulsory education was extended from 6 to 9 years, and the university system
also changed. Seven Imperial Universities were restyled to National Universities,
along with the establishment of 60 other new National Universities on the mainland.
Under these economical and education-system backgrounds, astrophysics remarkably flourished in the postwar era.
Chapter 6 is devoted mainly to the development of astrophysical instruments in
optical, radio, and space observations, along with some results of observations to
show the capabilities of these instruments.
In Chap. 7, the development of astrophysical research is traced in the solar and
stellar physics, galactic astronomy, cosmology, and theoretical astrophysics. The
progress was slow in the 1950s and gradually accelerated by the establishment of
large observational facilities. The style of research has changed from individual
study in the 1950s to group study in the 1970s and thereafter. Even inter-university
or international researches have been often organized.
vi
Preface: A History of Modern Astronomy in Japan
astronomy in this era was confined to calendar-making in the frame of luni-solar
calendar. In parallel, western cosmologies from Aristotle to Newton were mainly
accepted by civilians, particularly by Dutch interpreters.
Period 2, astronomy in the Meiji-Taisho era, is described in Chap. 2. The
Tokugawa government was abolished in 1868 by Meiji emperor’s army and a new
Meiji government was established. This is called the Meiji Revolution. The new
government adopted the policy of modernization, accepting western systems in
politics, military, and other affairs. Initially astronomy was introduced in the field
of position astronomy to adopt the Gregorian calendar and to build a new astronomical observatory. The observatory mainly had geopolitical purposes such as time
keeping, calendar making, and observations of latitude and longitude.
Astrophysics was introduced through foreign studies in Western Europe and the
USA in the late Meiji era around 1905. In the Taisho era (1912–1926), astrophysics
was still promoted similarly through foreign studies.
Period 3, astronomy in the early Showa era (1927~1945), is given in Chaps. 3, 4,
and 5, covering the development of astronomy in three distinct areas: Tokyo, Kyoto,
and Sendai, where astronomy was promoted separately and almost independently. In
this era, Japan was under a military government and finally rushed into World War
II. International collaboration in science was getting difficult, and astronomers were
forced to work for military purpose. Nevertheless, some notable works were produced in some theoretical fields. For example, physics of the solar corona and
chromosphere, and basic physical processes of planetary nebulae were carried out
mostly independent of western astrophysics. This period may be cited as the age of
self-efforts.
Period 4 presents the development of astronomy in the postwar era (1946 ~
2000), described in Chaps. 6, 7, and 8. In 1945, World War II ended with the defeat
of Japan. Social and economic confusion lasted for several years. Thereafter, the
Japanese economy expanded at a stunning pace. This enabled the construction of
large scientific facilities including telescopes and orbiting satellites. In parallel with
the economic growth, the education system was greatly changed in the form that
compulsory education was extended from 6 to 9 years, and the university system
also changed. Seven Imperial Universities were restyled to National Universities,
along with the establishment of 60 other new National Universities on the mainland.
Under these economical and education-system backgrounds, astrophysics remarkably flourished in the postwar era.
Chapter 6 is devoted mainly to the development of astrophysical instruments in
optical, radio, and space observations, along with some results of observations to
show the capabilities of these instruments.
In Chap. 7, the development of astrophysical research is traced in the solar and
stellar physics, galactic astronomy, cosmology, and theoretical astrophysics. The
progress was slow in the 1950s and gradually accelerated by the establishment of
large observational facilities. The style of research has changed from individual
study in the 1950s to group study in the 1970s and thereafter. Even inter-university
or international researches have been often organized.
vi
Preface: A History of Modern Astronomy in Japan