Research on the Dissemination and Knowledge Reproduction of Jiuhuang Bencao in Edo Japan

Abstract

Compiled by Zhu Su, Prince Ding of the Ming Dynasty, Jiuhuang Bencao is the first agricultural and monograph on botany in Chinese history with the aim of relieving famine. After the book was introduced to Japan, it was highly valued by Japanese herbalists for its scientific and practical value. Some famous people began to publish and explain the book, and combined Chinese famine relief theories with Japan’s local conditions to compile a series of local famine relief works. Promoted by Japanese herbalists, Jiuhuang Bencao has been widely disseminated, opening up a broad field of Chinese and Japanese herbal research.