Koishikawa Yojosho

Old water well of Koishikawa Yojosho

Koishikawa Yojosho was a historical hospital located in the Koishikawa district of Edo, which is present-day Tokyo, Japan. It was established during the Edo period and played a significant role in the development of medical practices in Japan.

History[edit | edit source]

Koishikawa Yojosho was founded in 1722 by the Tokugawa shogunate as part of its efforts to improve public health and medical knowledge. The hospital was initially intended to serve the samurai class but eventually expanded its services to the general public. It was one of the earliest institutions in Japan to incorporate Western medicine alongside traditional Japanese medicine.

Facilities and Services[edit | edit source]

The hospital was equipped with various medical facilities, including wards for different types of illnesses, a pharmacy, and a research laboratory. It also had a botanical garden where medicinal plants were cultivated. The integration of Western medical practices was facilitated by the presence of rangaku scholars, who were experts in Dutch studies and Western sciences.

Notable Figures[edit | edit source]

Several prominent physicians and scholars were associated with Koishikawa Yojosho. Sugita Genpaku, a notable rangaku scholar, conducted anatomical studies and translated Western medical texts while working at the hospital. Another significant figure was Ogata Kōan, who contributed to the advancement of medical education in Japan.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Koishikawa Yojosho is considered a precursor to modern medical institutions in Japan. Its emphasis on combining Western and traditional medical practices laid the groundwork for the development of contemporary healthcare in the country. The site of the former hospital is now part of the Koishikawa Botanical Garden, which is managed by the University of Tokyo.