Lost in thought I wonder about Ono Ranzan’s legacy. This memorial commemorates a man of great intellect. It stands as a testament to his contributions to Japanese botany. Ono Ranzan was no ordinary scholar. He earned the title of “Japanese Linnaeus” for his work.
Ono Ranzan was born in Kyoto in 1729. He originally had the surname Saeki. Later in life Ranzan became his art name. He was a botanist and herbalist.
Ono Ranzan opened a school of botanical pharmacology in 1754. It became very popular. Over a thousand pupils enrolled to study with him. Kimura Kenkadō was one of Ono’s students. In 1799, Ono Ranzan received a post at the Seijūkan. This was the country’s major government medical school in Edo.
At Seijūkan, Ono Ranzan worked on translating Rembert Dodoens’ herbal guide into Japanese. This guide was called the Cruydeboeck. Ono was familiar with Western herbalism. He used Johann Wilhelm Weinmann’s work in his translation. Ono Ranzan studied traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine. Some of Ono’s works were translated by French botanist Ludovic Savatier.
In the early 1800s, Ono Ranzan traveled Japan. He gathered information on botanical remedies. This led to his most important work. It was called the Honzō Kōmoku Keimō. Ono’s grandson Ono Mototaka edited it. The work was first published between 1803 and 1806. It presented viewpoints independent from China’s Honzō Kōmoku. This was also known as the Bencao Gangmu. Ono advocated experimentation and research. He did not want reliance on Chinese Classics.
Ono Ranzan also co-authored the floral work Kai I. Ono never married. He did father a son with one of his household servants. Ono Ranzan died in 1810. He was originally buried in Asakusa. His remains were moved to Nerima in 1927. This happened after the Great Kantō earthquake damaged the graveyard. The barberry species Ranzania japonica was named to honor him.
Ono Ranzan’s influence extended far beyond his lifetime. He was an expert in natural history. His expertise was shared through his book Honzō Kōmoku Keimō. It was a detailed compendium of medicinal plants. It contains independent viewpoints. Ono’s meticulous approach set him apart. He emphasized careful observation. He also promoted experimentation.
Consider Ono Ranzan’s dedication. He would correct proofs of his book until his dying day. He used the help of a disciple for this. This memorial reminds us of Ono Ranzan’s impact. It celebrates a great botanist and herbalist. It also honors his contribution to Japanese science.