| Japanese Mathematics in the EDO Period (1600-1868): A Study of the Works of Seki Takakazu (?-1708) and Takebe Katahiro (1664-1739) Contributor(s): Horiuchi, Annick (Author), Wimmer-Zagier, Silke (Translator) |
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ISBN: 3764387440 ISBN-13: 9783764387440 Publisher: Birkhauser OUR PRICE: $237.49 Product Type: Hardcover Published: September 2010 Annotation: The book presents the main features of the Wasan tradition, which is the indigenous mathematics that developed in Japan during the Edo period. (1600-1868). It begins with a description of the first mathematical textbooks published in the 17th century, then shifts to the work of the two leading mathematicians of this tradition, Seki Takakazu and Takebe Katahiro. The book provides substantial information on the historical and intellectual context, the role played by the Chinese mathematical treatises introduced at the late 16th century, and an analysis of Sekia (TM)s and Takebea (TM)s contribution to the development of algebra and calculus in Japan.
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| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Mathematics | History & Philosophy |
| Dewey: 510.952 |
| LCCN: 2009939449 |
| Series: Science Networks: Historical Studies |
| Physical Information: 1" H x 6.1" W x 9.1" (1.55 lbs) 350 pages |
| Themes: - Cultural Region - Japanese |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: More than ?fteen years have passed since this book was published in French. Ideally this work, which originated from a doctoral thesis defended in 1990 at the University of Paris Diderot, should have been partially rewritten for the English edition, thereby incorporating the latest research results in its argumentation. But this was not the choice taken, since it would have delayed making this work, which brings together useful information for all those who are interested in wasan and eager to delve more deeply into its tradition, available to the English reader. Indeed, the special feature of this study is to present a high-level mathematical production while at the same time placing it in its historical context. This context here is Tokugawa Japan and, more speci?cally, the milieu of the scholars of samurai (warrior) origin. While explaining the indispensable social, economical and poli- cal background, we have not neglected mathematical analysis, since wasan reached its most beautiful results with the two mathematicians Seki Takakazu and Takebe Katahiro. Their works abound in lessons, not only for all those who are interested in the history of algebra and of analysis, but also in epistemological questions. |
