“Medicine, anthropology, foreign relations of Japan.” That’s how Erwin Bälz is described. He was a foreign advisor during Japan’s Meiji era. We are standing at the memorial for \u6771\u4eac\u5927\u5b66\u540d\u8a89\u6559\u5e2b\u30d9\u30eb\u30c4\u5148\u751f. It stands as a reminder of his significant contributions.
Erwin Otto Eduard von Bälz was born in Germany in 1849. He died in 1913. Bälz became a prominent figure in Japan. He left a lasting impact on the country’s medical landscape.
Bälz initially came to Japan in 1876. He accepted a two-year contract. It was with the Medical College of Tokyo Imperial University. His tenure extended far beyond those initial years. Bälz spent 27 years in Japan. He became one of the longest-serving Oyatoi gaikokujin advisors. He married Toda Hanako in 1881. Together, they had four children.
During his time here at \u6771\u4eac\u5927\u5b66\u540d\u8a89\u6559\u5e2b\u30d9\u30eb\u30c4\u5148\u751f, Bälz taught over 800 students in Western medicine. His influence extended to Japan’s leaders. He treated Prime Ministers Itō Hirobumi and Yamagata Aritomo.
Bälz’s contributions weren’t limited to the classroom. He recognized the potential of Kusatsu’s volcanic springs. Bälz transformed them into a successful hot spring resort. He also identified the “Mongolian spot” in Japanese babies.
Beyond medicine, Bälz was an avid art collector. His collection of Japanese works resides at the Linden Museum in Stuttgart. He is credited with introducing Judo to Germany.
Bälz’s diary offers insights into Japan during the Meiji era. He also created Bälz Water. It was a mixture of glycerin and water for chapped hands. The product was sold widely in Japan. A commemorative museum honoring Bälz was erected in Kusatsu in 2000.
\u6771\u4eac\u5927\u5b66\u540d\u8a89\u6559\u5e2b\u30d9\u30eb\u30c4\u5148\u751f, Erwin Bälz, left an indelible mark on Japan. His contributions spanned medicine, culture, and international relations. He helped shape modern Japan. He improved its understanding of Western medicine. His legacy continues to be remembered.