He published various publications on science and technology such as {{nihongo|Kagaku Shinsho|化学新書}}. Based on his specialized knowledge, he test-manufactured sugar{{efn|He supervised test-manufacturing of sugar in Satsuma Domain, where he belonged at the time.^[5]}}^[5], match^[7][2], and daguerreotype^[7], which contributed to the development of technology in Japan. He is assumed to have brewed beer for the first time in Japan.{{efn|The legend says that he brewed beer and held a sampling party in Asakusa after Perry Expedition, while there is no existent record showing his brew.^{[5][11][7][13]} Some literatures^[15][16], however, refer to his success of brew of beer assertively.}}^[5][3][7] He is also noted as the first person to have used the word {{nihongo|Kagaku|化学}} or chemistry, which is now widely used in Japan.^[21]

Biography

Kawamoto Komin was born in Sanda Domain (now Sanda, Hyogo) in 1810.^[23][7]

He started his education at the school of Sanda Domain at the age of 10 (in East Asian age reckoning).

In 1827, he studied Kampo medicine at {{nihongo|Konashi|木梨}} Village (now Kato, Hyogo) for about a year.^[23][7]

Two years later in 1829, having been attracted by Kawamoto's talent, {{nihongo|{{ill|Kuki Takakuni|ja|九鬼隆国}}|九鬼隆国}} ,the lord of Sanda Domain, had him study Western medicine in Edo (now Tokyo). Studying under {{nihongo|{{ill|Adachi Choshun|ja|足立長雋}}|足立長雋}} and {{nihongo|{{ill|Tsuboi Nobumichi|ja|坪井信道}}|坪井信道}} , he was quite at home in physics and chemistry.^[23][7][16]

In 1833, he was appointed to a clan doctor as well as his father, and married {{nihongo|Hideko|秀子}}, whose father was {{nihongo|{{ill|Aochi Rinso|ja|青地林宗}}|青地林宗}}.

In the next year, however, having committed a case of injury, he was forced to be under house arrest for six years.

After the house arrest, he was caught in a fire twice. It was literally his dark days.^[23][7]

In contrast, he had kept achieving great works in science and technology since late 1840s. According to his essay {{nihongo|Yuken Zuihitsu|裕軒随筆}}, he test-manufactured white phosphorus match in 1848. He also issued many publications including translations, starting with {{nihongo|Kikai Kanran Kogi|気海観瀾広義}}, which was published in 1851.^[7]

After being picked out by {{nihongo|Shimazu Nariakira|島津斉彬}} in 1854, the lord of Satsuma Domain, he came to belong to Satsuma Domain, and worked as a technical adviser.^[23][7]

In 1859, he became a professor at {{nihongo|Bansho Shirabesho|蕃書調所}}, the predecessor of the present University of Tokyo.^[23]

In 1861, he published his famous {{nihongo|Kagaku Shinsho|化学新書}}, which introduced modern chemistry in the West in those days. It is considered as one of the most important literatures on chemistry in Edo period, as well as {{nihongo|Seimi Kaiso|舎密開宗}} written by Udagawa Yōan. It was used as a textbook in Bansho Shirabesho.^[21]

In 1868, he went back to his hometown Sanda and opened {{nihongo|Eiran Juku|英蘭塾}}, a private school. The school soon became very popular and even a branch school was opened.^[23][3] Later, his son {{nihongo|Kiyojiro|清二郎}} was appointed to Dajō-kan, and he went up to Tokyo again accompanying his son.^[23][5]

In June 1, 1871, he died in Tokyo at the age of 62.^[23][5]

After his death

In 1953, a monument was built in front of Sanda Elementary School in Sanda City in honor of Kawamoto.^[15][4]

In 2010, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Kawamoto's birth, {{ill|Konishi Brewing Company|ja|小西酒造}} brewed beer with the manufacturing process in those days, referring to his translation, {{nihongo|Kagaku Shinsho|化学新書}}, and the product has been on sale.^[3][5]

Major works

Kikai Kanran Kogi

Ensei Kiki Jutsu

Kagaku Shinsho

It is now considered to be one of the most prominent books on chemistry in late Edo period as well as Seimi Kaisō (舎密開宗) written by Udagawa Yōan. Compared to Seimi Kaisō the latest concepts at the time like atom, molecule, chemical compounds and chemical equation were explained in it.^[5][21]

The inorganic chemistry section contains detailed specifics on chemical elements and chemical compounds. It covers various elements and compounds of acids (e.g. sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid), light metals (e.g. sodium, potassium) and heavy metals (e.g.manganese, cobalt, lead). Komin assigned Kanji to each element as an element symbol e.g. "水", "炭", "窒" and "酸", which indicate hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen for each. With this style of element symbol, for example, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) was expressed like this: "窒酸_二", where "二" means two in Japanese. In the explanation of chemical compounds, the concept of formation of molecules with bonding was described with figures, in which John Dalton's atomic theory was first introduced to Japan.^[5][21]。

In organic chemistry section, it was explained that plant component consists of four kinds of elements i.e. hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen. The concept of isomers was explained with molecular formula. It also contains the latest knowledge at that time on organic chemistry e.g. protein, acetyl group, aldehyde and radical. In addition brewing of alcoholic drink was explained in detail. Komin is assumed to have brewed beer based on the knowledge gained through this.^[5][11][13]

Notes

References