Shūki sanpō 拾璣算法 [Computational Methods for Picking Up Pearls]
Numerous woodcut illustrations. Five vols. Large 8vo, orig. semi-stiff patterned wrappers with orig. title-slips, new stitching. Edo, Kyoto, & Osaka: Suharaya mohei 須原屋茂兵衛, 1769.
First edition of this influential book of mathematics, which inspired a number of commentaries and derivative works. Arima (1714-83) was the lord of Kurume domain in present-day Fukuoka prefecture on Kyushu. He was a patron of scholarship, and for the education of his samurai, he invited Confucian scholars, calendrical experts, and experts in military studies as well as mathematicians to the domain.
The importance of Arima’s book stems from the fact that it, “as a printed book, for the first time made public important computational methods invented by Seki Takakazu, which had previously been transmitted in secret” (Takemasa Yasufumi 武正泰史, “Wasansho Shūki sanpō no chosha wo meguru saikentō” 和算書『拾璣算法』の著者をめぐる再検討, Tetsugaku, kagakushi ronsō, No. 22 [2020]: p. 21). Seki Takakazu 関孝和 (c. 1640-1708) was “the most important figure of the wasan (‘Japanese calculation’) tradition.” He was “instrumental in recovering neglected and forgotten mathematical knowledge from ancient Chinese sources and then extending and generalizing the main problems” (Annick Horiuchi, Britannica, online).
The bulk of our book consists of mathematical problems and topics, such as: algebraic calculations; factorization; sums of infinite series; congruence; manipulation of arranged go pieces; expansion of series; permutations and combinations; indeterminate equations; sequential equations; spheres; the biggest and smallest numbers; finding the integer value; polynomial coefficient determination; and mensuration.
Some copies of Shūki sanpō are misleadingly catalogued as dated 1766, based on the date of the author’s Preface.
Very fine set, preserved in a new chitsu.
❧ Smith, History of Mathematics, I, p. 537. Smith & Mikami, A History of Japanese Mathematics, p. 182–“In this treatise Arima sets forth and solves one hundred fifty problems, thus being the first noted writer to break from the old custom of solving the problems of his predecessors and setting others for those who were to follow”–& see pp. 106, 161, 181, 186, 197, 208, 259, & 270.
First edition of this influential book of mathematics, which inspired a number of commentaries and derivative works. Arima (1714-83) was the lord of Kurume domain in present-day Fukuoka prefecture on Kyushu. He was a patron of scholarship, and for the education of his samurai, he invited Confucian scholars, calendrical experts, and experts in military studies as well as mathematicians to the domain.
The importance of Arima’s book stems from the fact that it, “as a printed book, for the first time made public important computational methods invented by Seki Takakazu, which had previously been transmitted in secret” (Takemasa Yasufumi 武正泰史, “Wasansho Shūki sanpō no chosha wo meguru saikentō” 和算書『拾璣算法』の著者をめぐる再検討, Tetsugaku, kagakushi ronsō, No. 22 [2020]: p. 21). Seki Takakazu 関孝和 (c. 1640-1708) was “the most important figure of the wasan (‘Japanese calculation’) tradition.” He was “instrumental in recovering neglected and forgotten mathematical knowledge from ancient Chinese sources and then extending and generalizing the main problems” (Annick Horiuchi, Britannica, online).
The bulk of our book consists of mathematical problems and topics, such as: algebraic calculations; factorization; sums of infinite series; congruence; manipulation of arranged go pieces; expansion of series; permutations and combinations; indeterminate equations; sequential equations; spheres; the biggest and smallest numbers; finding the integer value; polynomial coefficient determination; and mensuration.
Some copies of Shūki sanpō are misleadingly catalogued as dated 1766, based on the date of the author’s Preface.
Very fine set, preserved in a new chitsu.
❧ Smith, History of Mathematics, I, p. 537. Smith & Mikami, A History of Japanese Mathematics, p. 182–“In this treatise Arima sets forth and solves one hundred fifty problems, thus being the first noted writer to break from the old custom of solving the problems of his predecessors and setting others for those who were to follow”–& see pp. 106, 161, 181, 186, 197, 208, 259, & 270.
Details
Title
Shūki sanpō 拾璣算法 [Computational Methods for Picking Up Pearls]
Author
ARIMA, Yoriyuki 有馬頼徸, using the name TOYOTA, Fumikage 豐田文景
Condition
Unknown